Visit the Abbey of the Arts online retreat platform to access your programs:

Login Here
Back to all

Visual Meditation: Autumn in Seattle

***

Again the wind
Flakes gold-leaf from the trees
And the painting darkens—as if a thousand penitents
Kissed an icon
Till it thinned
Back to bare wood,
Without diminishment.

-Jane Hirshfield

***

-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts

(all photos except for the last one taken at the Seattle Arboretum, end photo taken at Lakeview Cemetery in Seattle)

** Come back Monday, October 27th for our next Poetry Party **

** Wednesday, October 29th will be our next Sacred Artist Interview with Leah Piken Kolidas **

You might also enjoy

Feast of St. Francis

St. Francis at the Corner PubApproaching the door, you can alreadyhear his generous laughter.He stands on the bar upside down for a momentto get a new perspective on things,a flash of polka-dotted boxersas his brown robe cascades over his head,sandaled toes wiggling in the air

Read More »
October 2, 2026

Monk in the World Guest Post: Natalie Gould

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Natalie Gould’s reflection A Wooden Cross from Assisi. In October 2000, I traveled to Assisi, Italy. During a two-and-a-half-mile walk through the

Read More »
September 30, 2026

4 Responses

  3. Christine! Jane Hirshfield’s “back to bare wood” seems to transform European art history into Japanese Zen (without diminishing either). Exquisite duck hen — a composition for lute and cello?

  4. Good poem. I like that the “kisses” took away the “gilt” but without diminshing (in my reading) either the kisser or the kissee.

    And my favorite picture…the mushrooms! You really captured the light, Christine.