Autumn Praise

Angels in the earth are shouting choruses of autumn praise.
Gold upon the trees is shaking, leaves in their translucent way;
Kingly garment, radiant blue, spread across the cloudless sky;
Dancing breeze to stir the treetops, swaying branches lifted high.

The sun, a strongman in his glory, brave upon the midday stage.
Silver diamonds on the water, tossed on joyful skipping waves.
Children running on the hilltops, in the rolling golden grass
Is this all just earnest payment of a great inheritance?

Now, while we have breath within us, let us offer thankful praise.
We’ve been rescued by the Shepherd, from the dark and stormy day.
We’ve seen winter, our souls frozen, through the nights of numbing cold.
Jesus gives to earthly paupers from the warmth of heaven’s gold.

Oh my soul, a taste of heaven, signals coming glory bright.
See him clothed in brilliant robes, the Lamb of God in perfect light.

Written by a friend, a decade and more,
This has been my October praise song,
From the yellow aspens in Colorado
To the long, vibrant orange fall in Virginia.

This year, the praise extended to the rocky coast of
Portland, Maine, where I stood overlooking
The diamonds on the waters of the ocean,
The colors of the trees around the bay.

In the clear blue skies and beautiful sunlight of the afternoon,
My niece ran down the grassy hilltop behind me,
And, later, many children rolled down a grassy slope with glee.
We offered thankful praise.