shall we?

shall we do without hope?
some days there will be none.
but now
to the dry and dead woods floor
they come again,
the first flowers of the year,
the assembly of the faithful,
the beautiful,
wholly given to being.
and in this long season
of machines and mechanical will
there have been small human acts
of compassion, acts of care,
work flowerlike in selfless loveliness.
leaving hope to the dark
and to a better day ~
receive these beauties freely given
and give thanks.

              wendell berry
              leavings