On this day of sky so blue

the least, thin cloud seems but a thought,

may the Lord’s own hand

bless you with peace that stretches

from dawn to dusk

and lay you down gentle,

ready for your rest.

On this day of air so clear and clean

it seems to bring a refreshing

that reaches all the way

to the center of your soul,

may the Lord’s good grace

strip away every trace of guile and guilt

and leave your spirit

sensing the nearness

of all that is good and decent

and thoroughly indifferent

to every sleight.

On this day of work and harvest,

of long rows winding

along the run of the ridge

and feathering toward

the line of trees along the ditch,

may you welcome the gleaning of grain,

surrendering the fruit of harvest

and joyful

for what is being laid up

in bins that do not rust,

where thieves do not break through and steal,

where all that is good

is held against That Day.

H. Arnett

9/30/11