BURNING LEAVES (BALLADS OF THE SONG OF SOLOMON) As the colors ignite, I know coming is the night As the winds remove all the fallen, once alive My lungs are growing tighter with every other breath So I wait for love to resurrect my life again O, how I've kicked my feet through these burning, falling leaves O, how my heart so dreads the land soon laden with snow O, how I long to hear Him sing "Darling, the winter is gone—today begins the spring." The moon is gaining slowly its place in the sky Its crescent bearing all the light entering my eye And wisdom whispers lower to my heart again "Even in the winter, there is still mercy." It's all I can do to avoid collecting dust Presently accumulating words once often touched Ever-near me now this haunting ghost of offense But I'll give the pain my "yes" if it'll bring You back again O, how I've kicked my feet through these burning, falling leaves O, how my heart so dreads the land soon laden with snow O, how I long to hear Him sing "Darling, the winter is gone—today begins the spring." I've strolled these city streets I've heard that Word call clear to me Drawing me to places where we before have met And in those memories It's as if You never left