I recently encountered a poem that crystalized some of the feelings I’ve been having during this beautiful autumn in the northeast U.S.A.

The poem was used by the renowned Quaker author and teacher, Parker Palmer, in a recent Substack posting. In it, he wrote about the importance of expressing our deepest feelings as a way of “having my say”. The poem speaks of autumn beauty as representing Nature having its last say before the onslaught of winter.

The poem is by the late American poet, Jeanne Lohmann. I’ve included some of my recent autumn photos after the text.

Autumn in the Fields of Light

Without wind the yellow leaves

hang slack, maple, elm and oak

lift torches to the blue of heaven.

A scarlet burning bush ignites the air.

Evergreens comfort the eye,

relief from all that fire and gold.

When my last warm season’s done

and time’s come to leave this world

of words, bright fields of language

where I play and sing, let flame

in me some final brilliant work

like autumn leaves in changing light.

May I rejoice in having had my say.

John Bayerl, 11/7/2026