The Fallow Way

I’ll learn to love the fallow way When winter draws the valley down And stills the rivers in their storm And freezes all the little brooks Time when our steps slow to the song Of falling flakes and crackling flames When silver stars are high and still Deep in the velvet of the sky The crystal time the silence times I’ll learn to love their quietness While deep beneath the glistening snow The black earth dreams of violets I’ll learn to love the fallow time -- I’ll learn to love the fallow way When all my colors fade to white And flying birds fold back their wings Upon my anxious wonderings     The sun has slanted all her rays Across the vast and harvest plains My memories mingle in the dawn    I dream a joyful vagabonds     The crystal time the silence times I’ll learn to love their quietness While deep beneath the glistening snow The black earth dreams of violets I’ll learn to love the fallow time -- No drummer comes across the plains To tell of triumph or of pain No word far off battle’s cry   To draw me out or draw me nigh -- I’ll learn to love the fallow way And gather in the patient fruits And after autumn’s blaze and burn I’ll know the feel of still deep roots That nothing seem to know or need That crack the ice in frozen ponds And slumbering in winter’s folds Have dreams of green and blue and gold I’ll learn to love the fallow way And listening for blossoming   Of my own heart once more in spring As sure as time as sure as snow As sure as moonlight wind and stars The fallow time will fall away    The sun will bring an April day And I will yield to Summer’s way