Autumn's Coming Winds

"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."
Jer. 8:20

All was dark and cold;
The biting chill whipped 'round my soul
     Freezing it — killing it;
Desperately I tried to keep control.
But there was no control in my life
Only restless tossing to-and-fro
     Hopelessly — continually;
Then suddenly You rescued me, and O!
   The Peace, The Calm
     ~how could I have given thought at all to Autumn's Coming Winds?

All was alive and growing;
Everywhere I looked I saw Your Love
     Nurturing — cherishing;
I saw Your Rainbow color from Above.
The sound of Your voice was music:
Each word a chord of a symphony
     Enveloping me — filling me
With Hope and Life—O Mystery:
   Your Death gives me Life!
     ~like a fairy-tale was the thought of Autumn's Coming Winds.


Days grew longer and warmer,
The rising Sun now hidden in a haze:
     Morning fog — summer smog;
Yet the diffused glare escaped my gaze.
My gaze was inward—in pleasures of the world.
I didn't miss at all the bright, clear Sun,
     Getting dimmer — getting duller
But still I found its warmth so fun.
   I used Your Liberty as license!
     ~I seldom spoke to You and never thought of Autumn's Coming Winds.

Days are growing short and chilled;
I see the field of harvest grain,
     Labors many — workers few;
But Autumn's Winds now come in like a hurricane.
The Sun that through the Spring was near
Now seems so cold—so far away—much higher,
     Distant.... distant....
At last I start to labor, but everything is
                                          swept
                                              away
                                                    in Fire!
   I kneel before Your Throne in shame.
     ~how can I face eternity with this vision etched in my mind—
              of Autumn's Winds of Fire!?
- D. Benning