This was my first poem of the year, written in early January while reflecting on the year past and the year to come. It’s main image comes from Isaiah 40:8–“Grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God endures forever.” It seems appropriate both in regard to the start of Lent and the present turmoil in the world.
Grass withers and the flower fades winter comes to take away whatever lacks abiding root whatever lacks tenacious truth. For metal rusts, the moth consumes; the wealth that promised to accrue gives little help when health erodes thus proving a deceptive hope. But we are blessed, not cursed by rust for it discourages false loves and losing is a discipline that lights the way when dreams have dimmed. Grass dies and human strength erodes the word of God continues whole-- his grace and goodness are the hinge: he opens and we enter in.
Life Assays 
May 13, 2022 at 7:44 pm
Bob, Just catching up with my emails! I really believe that your second and third paragraphs say it all. There is an emptying and letting go of what is temporary as we age…if we want to become our True Selves. Peter