Autumn Knows My Name

I wrote this just after I woke up this morning. I don't mean to dwell on the past, but today use to be an important anniversary, now it is just another date on the calendar. And so, here's to twenty three years ago, and miles I have traveled since then.

God Bless

Witt

Autumn Knows My Name

Sunshine decided not to show today

Rain poured down upon my weary soul

As last days of Summer have already closed

Reminding me not to cling to things like hope

But to keep on traveling down that road

Where who knows where you'll find me

And God keeps watch on my tired shadow

In midstream of my dreams that flow

Like a river long and old.

Autumn knows my name

In a lonesome refrain

Oh song of sorrows

Keep me safe

From this pouring rain

So I can live again.

Oh how do I know

Sun is gonna shine again

By light of a silver lining

Renewed in me by twilight

And friendship gathers like a boat

To rescue me from my selfish grope

To find meaning in a song

That echoes deep within

Forever haunting me like Halloween

Down lonesome cornrows

It feels my desire in Spring

And ends my question in a cold northwest wind

Yeah

Autumn knows my name.

Autumn knows my name

In a lonesome refrain

Oh song of sorrows

Keep me safe

From this pouring rain

So I can live again.

Quiet morning slumber

Wide awake to Sunday chime

Call to worship time

In a tall cathedral spire

Clothed in my finest attire

Not sure I'll even go

Oh, I've got to finish what I started

Back when

In praise through thanksgiving

Yeah

I hear him calling

Autumn knows my name.

Autumn knows my name

In a lonesome refrain

Oh song of sorrows

Keep me safe

From this pouring rain

So I can live again.

D. A. Wittler 16'

For those who disrespect our nation's symbol, who think that because we are a flawed people, that it is acceptable to behave as ignorant adults before our innocent children who watch, and wonder; a few thoughts:

More Than Stars and Stripes

We are people
Standing for freedom
And we are more than stars
Beneath a blue sky
More than flesh
Red blooded Americans
Scanning a hopeful horizon
Principled, disciplined by hard work
Tempered in fire.

We bare our stripes
Inspired by hope
Through fire and smoke
We have overcome
To see more clearly
A shining city on a hill
A white canvass
On which purity holds us bound
To higher moral ground
Than any nation ever found
On earth.

We kneel before no man
And bow before one God
Under heaven
Where all life is precious
And justice for all
Leads us from oppression's call
To serve a greater cause
Than mere mortal man can fathom
In pursuit of vain glory.

And so we remain united
One nation
Under God
Indivisible
For as long as mercy
And love
Can endure
And we are more
Than stars and stripes
To be disregarded
Like second hand garb
For we are all one people
Firm on shores of freedom.
Amen

D.A. Wittler 16'

Night Rain

Last evening a storm passed through in the wee hours of the morning. I found myeslf closing windows and quietly listening as a gentle breeze gave a first hint of rain. My thoughts were turned to  high school friends who lost parents quite recently. Now, perhaps it is my compasionate side that takes over at times like these, or maybe it is the spirit within which calls me to share some kind of solice for those who experience such loss in their lives. Whatever the case may be, I offer you a glimpse of my world at Witt's Den.   

And now, a first draft perhaps...for those who grieve. For all who still remember 9/11 as well.

 God Bless

Witt

Night Rain

Like comfort food

It calms me

Gentle as a touch

A respite from my labors

Whispers in the night

Soothing parched lips

Like a kiss from a lover

A call to slumber

Tears of joy from heaven

Washes away all sorrow

As I dream of tomorrow

Embraced by dawn

We are together once again

Savior and sinner

Cleansed in splendor

Longing of men

Like thunder rolling

Fog of morning undone

Our freedom he has won

As tears from heaven fall

In answer to this call

Forgiveness comes.

D.A. Wittler 16'