dust the ferns with my ashes —
there, among the aspen
trembling gold against the sky.
Let them settle, sighing,
on the still warm earth of autumn
where the next peak calls your name.
Snow will come. The wind will show me
paths the doe and vixen know. The moon
will call me with her crescent mouth
and share stories of the embered stars.
– Sarah Russell
First published in Poppy Road Review
for Poets United Poetry Pantry
Photo Source
Sarah Russell Poetry 
Beautiful and ripe with seasonal tones. You bring a soft mellow vibe to our mortality.
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Thanks, Barry. Kebler Pass is a special place.
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Beautiful and tender poem:)
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Thank you, Vandana.
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A lovely way to go. well penned.
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Thanks, John. I think so too.
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Beautiful!
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Thanks so much!
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Crescent mouth… wow.. love that image there!
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Thanks, Rajani.
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A beautiful poem and perfect for the season…”dust the ferns with my ashes.” You had me at the first line.
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Thanks, Annell. There is an aspen grove on Kebler Pass that is the largest in the world. There is a “mother” tree that has birthed all the others in the grove. That’s about as spiritual a place as I can think of in the world.
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This one is really good. Can I share it?
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Thanks, Steve. Of course you can share it!
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I had to check where Kebbler’s pass is, and I guessed it to be Colorado… I love how you tied nature to emotions.
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Thanks, Bjorn. Yes, Colorado has been my physical and spiritual home for 50 years. Pennsylvania is for career. Colorado is for life.
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An exquisite poem!
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Thank you, Bev.
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how lovely and what wonderful words about a return to earth –
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Thanks, Beth. I think the ultimate freedom is to have your ashes scattered somewhere you’ve loved.
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Such gorgeous imagery, Sarah. Just beautiful!
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Thanks you, Sherry.
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Such tender and beautiful words.
I would like my ashes scattered there too…
Anna :o]
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I think you’d be wonderful company, Anna!
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I love this!❤️ Especially; “The moon will call me with her crescent mouth and share stories of the embered stars.” Beautifully penned.❤️
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Thank you, Sanaa!
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Beautiful!
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Thank you, Ayala.
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This is just a lovely thing ~ sigh ~ it really moved me. Beautifully woven words.
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Thank you so much, Wendy.
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A beautiful poem and especially loved “share stories of the embered stars”
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Thank you, Marja.
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These lines:
The moon
will call me with her crescent mouth
and share stories of the embered stars.
really captivated me about your poem. The moon is always an intriguing subject in poetry. I like to look at the moon at night. Great lines.
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I love to look at the moon too, Jamztoma. The other night she looked like she was wearing a beret at a jaunty angle. It never gets old, does it.
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I shall go to bed thinking about the crescent mouth of the moon. What a glorious image!
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Thanks so much, Magaly. I loved your poem today too.
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My new favourite poem – redolent of Nature and Freedom.
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Thanks, Rosemary. Yes, the freedom of my soul is my wish. And becoming one with nature. You put it very well.
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This is gorgeous beyond yearning, Sarah. Gave me a happy William Stafford vibe.
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Thanks, Brendan. I haven’t read much Stafford. Do you have a particular poem in mind?
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Nah. Many of Stafford’s poems make the reader feel welcome on this earth. Yours made me feel the same way too.
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Aw, bless your heart. High praise, Brendan. Thank you!
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Reblogged this on days of stone and commented:
A beautiful new poem from my talented friend, Sarah Russell.
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Thank you so much, Ryan!
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My pleasure, Sarah. What a poem!
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Reblogged this on Stevie's Law and commented:
A fine poem by my friend Sarah Russell
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Thanks so much, Steve!
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Beautifully penned, Sarah.
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Thank you for stopping by, Eugenia.
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I love this celebratory poem!
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Thanks. It is celebratory, isn’t it. I hadn’t put that word with it, but that was my intent in the writing.
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