the fallow way

i'll learn to love the fallow way

when winter draws the valley down

and freezes all the little brooks

and stills the rivers in their storm

time when our steps slow to the sound

of falling flakes and crackling flames

when silver stars are high and still

deep in the velvet of the sky

the crystal time

the silent 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 way

i'll learn to love the fallow way

when all my colors turn to white

and flying birds fold back their wings

upon my ancient wanderings

the sun has slanted all her rays

across a vast and harvest plain

my memories mingle in the dawn

i see the joyful vagabond

the crystal times the silent 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 way

no drummer comes across the plains

to tell of triumph or of pain

no sound of 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 listen for the 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