Harvest Festival

    by Snipe

The Fruit and the Grain
the Sun and the Rain
to plant and to sow
to till and to reap
these cycles go back
as far as history is deep

Let's all come forth
with bushel and bale
to celebrate the Harvest
and all it entails

For the food is the life
and the life circles round
this energy we receive
and return to the ground

On our Island home
the abundance is clear
tis time to rejoice
in the labors of last year-

Friends and family
all gather near
the air thick with contentment
joy and good cheer

Before the meal is enjoyed
a tradition is observed-
this ancient prayer of thanks
round the Island is heard:

"The seasons do turn,
from the last to the next-
we honor the fields
with these words of respect.
From the seed comes the vine
the bearer of fruit-
The Sun feeds the leaves,
and the Water the roots.
We thank the Sun,
the Water and Soil-
to these elements
we add our own toil.
To cultivate and harvest
is our part in this play-
and for that we give thanks
on this special day."

Delectable foods
from all regions are shared
delights are enjoyed
both exotic and rare

After the feast a play is put on
a wondrous event
of music and song

The story unfolds
the Green Man's tale
and follows his journey
over hill
over dale-

Leaving behind him
as proof of his trek,
the lush green growth
that saves all our necks

The festival's over
the plays are all done-
the harvest is finished,
and the planting's begun.

The Harvest Festival

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