The God of the Waning Year
by Elizabeth Barrette

Where is the stag of seven tines?
Where is the woodsman of the pines?

Where is the hunter of the fell?
Where is the wizard of the well?

Where is the green man of the leaves?
Where is the reaper of the sheaves?

Where is the master of the maze?
Where is the sun of autumn days?

Where is the god of corn and grain?
Where is the consort who is slain?

Where is the prince of hoof and horn?
Where is the one who is reborn?

The stag has fallen to the bow
The woodsman lays the great tree low

The hunter goes in search of game
The wizard listens for his name

The green man’s lying on the loam
The reaper’s gone to harvest home

The master stands where center lies
The sun slips down the autumn skies

The god has fallen in the field
The consort lies upon his shield

The prince is past all reach of men
The one is in the womb again.


This poem was originally published in The Pagan’s Muse anthology 10/13/03.

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