All Hallows Eve, Autumn Light

All Hallows Eve, Autumn Light

All Hallows Eve, known as Samhuin in the Celtic tradition is the Night of the Ancestors, a sacred time to honor them. I set aside this day to reminisce about my dearly departed parents and grandparents. It is a period of time beginning with sundown on October 31, and continues for a few days. Traditionally it is the time for a bonfire. All Soul’s Day and All Saints Day are times for us to be grateful for the ways they supported and loved us.

Exposed to the Autumn Light

The first frost on October 30 withered our beloved Morning Glories who formed a protective wall of shade. We quickly took them down, rolled them up, hauled them away, our annual ritual. It’s sad, but then I marveled (it is the first time) at the view because there are no Morning Glories, from the Adirondack chair. There is  unbelievably brilliant green grass in the distant fig nursery. Hummingbird Salvia is still in full bloom and also the Bachelor Buttons. All the herbs are happy, and the fig tree’s upper leaves are curled against the chill, but not dropped.

so as I sat there communing with my parents a poem came:

I sit in the arms

of the chair you so lovingly built, dad

in the arms of you in memory

so secure, so special, so warm

so well. Swell. S’wonderful.

I wear your last knitted vest, mom

so caring, so warm, so secure.

doubly held.