Repetition

The Story Behind the Poem

The trees outside on our house make autumn magical. I noticed one fall in particular how thankful I was that these trees faithfully ushered in beauty for us. Every spring, they give us hope of warmth. Every summer, they burst with life. Every fall, even in the death of their leaves, they emanate beauty. And with winter comes the stark contrast of dark bare branches against white heavy snow. And then it struck me. That’s their whole routine. Those four things. For their entire lives. They do it without complaint, bringing me joy and God glory. And as a mom of very young children, this was a message I desperately needed to hear.

Repetition

by Sarah Steele
October 2014

First buds of spring, small specks of green
Refresh the eyes and nose and soul
And never does the tree complain
Of starting again or losing control

Bright greens ignite, the eyes delight
While Vitamin D soaks through the veins
And never does the tree feel spite
For having to carry what soon will wane

Deep yellows and oranges, some purples and reds
Provide the crunch for autumn strolls
And never does the tree feel dread
At becoming less or changing roles

Bare bones against the winterscape
Engage the eyes with contrasts sharp
And never does the tree escape
To mourn the past, God’s law usurp

Each year the same four seasons come
And with them changes comparable
They grow, they green, they color on
They fall, they crunch, they bare become
And never does the tree succumb
To viewing life unbearable

You see, the repetition they
Embrace and undergo each year
Presents the annual buffet
To help we small vessels of clay
Accept our duties day-to-day
With hearts rejoicing, mission clear