Harvest

My paintings, poems and prayers for Harvest

Harvest Sonnet

In fields where golden grains sway gently,

The sun dips low to cast a warm embrace,

We gather close, voices raised in harmony,

To celebrate the bounty of this place.

Thank you to hands that toil beneath the sky,

With unwavering strength through rain they seed;

Each furrow turned resonates a sigh,

A rhythm born from nature’s tender need.

For every season brings its gifts anew,

Yet labour sows more than mere fruit and grain;

Compassion flourishes in hearts so true;

We share our harvests with those who’ve known pain.

So let us plough a life of love, give as we reap,

In gratitude for all that we can keep.

Autumn sun reveals

Misty ambiguous fields

Laden with harvest

In fields where whispers dance on summer’s breath,

The wind collects sighs of dreams untold,

A gentle hand upon the heart of death,

New wine for thirsty souls as warmth grows cold.

We bid farewell to golden rays that fade;

Autumn unfurls her harvest, rich and bright,

A tapestry where fleeting glories played,

Reviving colours lost from summer's light.

Crimson and gold in every rustling leaf,

Each gust a hymn that carries the weight of change,

They sing to us through joy and quiet grief,

In this sweet loss, our spirits rearrange.

So let us drink, while twilight’s shadows call:

In this field of dreams, we rise before we fall.

Ode to the Potato

O golden gem beneath the earth

In humble soil you find your birth

With tender skin and creamy heart

In every form you play your part

The crunchy crisp that tempts a bit

The chips we fry with pure delight

Each bite a joy a salty treat

In every crunch our hearts take flight

Potato versatile and kind

In every meal your grace we find

From mash to roast you bring us cheer

Forever loved year after year.

Grains fall, wither, die

Regrowth provides the harvest

Follow God always

Our promises to the Earth once brightly shone

Until our vows faded like shadows at night

The trees we pledged to guard now stand alone

While oceans rise and cities increase the plight

We turned away distracted by our gain

Each contract now as fragile as silk thread

The scars we leave are filled with silent pain

As beauty fades and life is less widespread

Yet still the hope of change can stir anew

If all unite beneath the global sky

To heal the wounds and actively renew

The natural world where ancient laws apply

For all we've hurt can still be healed with care

Developing bonds with whom this Earth we share

Prayers

God of the great feast and the simple meal

Blessed are you in the sowing

Blessed are you in the breaking of bread

Blessed are you in the sharing of bread

Blessed are you in our daily bread

Amen.

Lord of the harvest we thank you for all that you have given:

- for all that we have to eat and drink,

- for the work of our hands, our hearts and our minds

- for our creative thoughts and caring actions.

God of all we thank you for those who work on our behalf,

- for farmer and fisherman

- for doctors, nurses, paramedics, firemen, police and social workers

- for teachers, teaching assistants and all those who care for our children

- for council workers and political leaders.

- for those whose work produces finished goods and services and

- for those whose unseen toil contributes to the fabric of our society.

Father God we remember those for whom the harvest has failed and who have an uncertain future;

- because of the lack of rain

- because of war and natural disaster

- because of trade barriers, corruption and lack of resources.

We pray for a more equal sharing of the worlds harvest, for a spreading of work opportunities, for a closing of the divide between rich and poor and for more understanding between nations, faiths and cultures.

Lord God we are grateful for all that you have provided, and thank you for your gifts. We ask for your help in loving others as we love ourselves, by sharing what we have widely.

Sustaining God as we look at the food donations at your feet we ask for your shelter on those without homes and security, please bring your blessing on this food and all who will be nourished physically and emotionally when it is distributed.

Holy Spirit we ask for your love on the work, talents and skills we brought here today, we ask for your strength as we work.

Jesus you tasked us all with making disciples, this is our christian harvest for you. We ask for your guiding hand upon our lives and all those who we meet this week, help us grow your church and bring in your harvest.

You can find all my Harvest paintings here