Past The Autumnal

Painting and Poem by Doris Moore

Painting - Past The Autuminal

As I sit here and dream, I can
Vividly remember
All the seasons of my life, from
Spring thru December

The springs of my life when I
Played , carefree -
Also the summers when I reared
My family

The days of autumn when the
Children were raised.
I can see rest and peace ahead
And I am amazed

All this machinery, once so
Shiny and new
Has been ravished by time
As I have, too

The pods have matured and
Spent their seeds
More plants will grow here
Instead of weeds

All the buildings have lost
Their stability;
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust",
Facing Eternity

The horizon has dimmed, the
Skies are cold;
The trees are awaiting winter,
Leafless and bold

The seasons come, the seasons go, so
Keep the fires hot
Time, alone, is irreplaceable
Waste it not

It's past the autumnal but I have
Accomplished my part
I helped all of my children
Find a good start

But I am content as I look
Into the past
For I am contemplating serenity
Beyond the last


Doris (Dearhamer) Moore Copsey taught herself to paint fairly late in life. Once started, she continued to paint until failing eyesight forced her to give up the hobby in her eighties. She herself journeyed "Beyond the last" June 24, 2001 when, at the age of 93, she passed away peacefully in her sleep.