Old November

November is a wizened sage

Writing words on a yellowed page,

Anticipating the year’s end,

One last memoir to you, my friend.

Looking back upon the seasons,

Writing all the rhymes and reasons,

Lessons learned, experience gained,

Through many hours that were tearstained.

As leaves hang tattered on the limb,

No longer bright, but looking dim,

Creases crinkle round eyes of blue;

November turns and smiles at you.

“Well done! You’ve lived another year.

You grew, bore fruit, and lent an ear

To others who were losing heart

And helped them make a brand new start!”

Now as he put the earth to bed,

Tucked beneath a leafy spread,

One last proverb he wisely shared:

“Giving thanks will ease your cares…

When feeling restless or depressed,

Think on ways in which you’re blessed,

You’ll find the coldness of resentment

Melts away into contentment.”

And while his twinkling eyes did probe,

He huddled in his old brown robe

And breathed a long untroubled sigh,

A foggy breath that lingered by.

Then gusts of wind howled strong and loud;

His gray beard swirled among the clouds.

That’s a day we’ll long remember, 

When last we saw Old November.

Devotional Reflections:

When November disappears around the bend and December awaits his entrance call, my mind turns toward self-examination and reflection. Only one month remaining of this year. How have I lived? What choices have I made? Have I loved God with my whole self? Did I shine his kingdom light on others? Loved people and lifted them up? What should change? What should be continued?

As the few remaining leaves drift down on this last day of November, I too wish to let go of mistakes, shedding any grudges or negative habits. I’d like to walk into December along with the wise men, seeking the baby king, God enfleshed, and all the wonder and goodness of his life-giving ways, a kingdom of his love and light born in my heart - a torch of hope borne into the dark world. As the old sage November fades out of sight until another year, may we take his wisdom into December and rekindle the flame of God’s Kingdom in our hearts.

"Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways." ~Proverbs 4:26

by Heather J. Willis, author