In The Prayer Mountains*

From this village in the valley
one can watch as fall begins its burn
down the mountainside; patches of red
leaves rising that will spread,
leaving most trees bare and standing
like puffs of smoke, signals
to the Great Spirit of all that returns
to be hallowed by the earth.

In the valley a few still honor this burning.
When hopelessness strips bare
the tender core of life, or hearts surprise
with comfort, there are those who remember
and keep holy this prayer of the fire.

In the spring one can watch as gold,
then green surges back up the mountainside,
buds opening like generous hands:
the Great Spirit's answer
to prayers from the fire.

Patricia Kelly
from Soul to Soul


*Native American name for The Catskills in the
Fleischmanns, NY area.