The Dance of the Phoenix Leaves
by Rosemary Krull
from the Oct 2025 Quiet Morning
This is the season of the Phoenix, as nature displays her final fire.
The leaves are burning red and gold as they prepare themselves for the pyre.
Preparing for their final dance, glorious to behold,
A final dance of colours bright, those embers of red and gold.
They give themselves so freely, they fall without a backward glance,
As they twist and twirl in Autumnal winds, in their glorious final dance.
Why do these leaves surrender so freely? Why don't they cling on to the tree?
Why are they so eager to surrender life? What do they know that we can't see?
Well, each leaf is truly a Phoenix, that's why they dance with glee,
They know that from their falling, they won't die, they'll simply be set free.
Those leaves aren't falling from the tree, they're dancing towards the ground.
They're answering the call from their children the seeds, a truly beloved sound.
Those seeds will be nurtured, fed and loved by each leaf which willingly fell.
When they burst forth in the Spring, they will carry with them, a leaf who within them will dwell.
Each leaf is truly a Phoenix, accepting each turn of the wheel.
They accept nature's call, as each Autumn they fall, they know it's the Earth that they heal.
Why can't we be like those Phoenix Leaves, accepting nature's cries?
With confidence, acceptance, with trust and love, knowing that when we fall, through faith we may rise.
A reflection & Illustration by Diana Thomas
from the Quiet Morning in November 2025
"Look to the Eastern Sky"
Hush children, hush your voices,
as you look to the Eastern sky.
Stay still, keep watch, be filled with hope
as you await the gift from on high.
Hush children, hush your voices,
as you look to the Eastern sky.
Can you see the first ray of the light of the World
in the sound of a baby's cry?
Hush children, hush your voices,
as you see the first light of dawn.
The light which heralds the arrival of the Son
who into this dark World is born.
Make noise, children, sing "Hallelujah!",
the Son of Man is born,
into this broken World, so lost, so hurt,
let us herald in this new dawn!
Sing praises children, raise your voices,
for the gift of the Son most high.
As we bow down before our King of love and hope,
this Son of the Eastern sky.
Rosemary Krull
GIFTED
The world lay in darkness and fear,
bearing burdens of sadness and sin.
Bent and broken, in utter despair;
hearts closed to the calling within.
Deaf to the words of the prophets,
blind to the signs displayed,
‘til God’s plan was set in motion;
a glimmer of hope …. they prayed.
The dawn was slowly rising,
heralding a bright new day;
casting aside the darkness –
God’s gift in a manger lay.
As yet to be revealed
to the unsuspecting mass;
unaware of the message
that soon would come to pass. Nimor
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