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 night 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 way

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 times the silence times

I'll learn to love their quietness

When deep beneath the glistening snow

The black earth dreams in of violets

I'll learn to love the fallow times

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

I'll learn to love the fallow way

And gather in the patient fruits

And after autumns blaze and burn

I'll know the full 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