The Sun Going South

"In late sunshine I wander troubled.

Restless I walk in autumn sunlight.

Too many changes, partings, and deaths.

Doors have closed that were always open.

Trees that held the sky up are cut down.

So much that I alone remember

This creek runs dry among its stones

Souls of the dead, come drink this water!

Come into this side valley with me,

A restless old woman, unseemly,

Troubled, walking on dry grass, dry stones."

(The Poem is by Ursula K. LeGuin, from “Always Coming Home”. The picture of the group of men is Rodin’s “Burghers of Calais” who were going to their execution)