September 2017 – Page 3

summer in decline
the first fragments of autumn
strewn across my lawn
–
open windows-
under my blanket
flannel sheets

standing on the dock
raising high my glass, toasting
the impending storm
–
rusty hinges-
a garden gate
bangs in the night

bone tired and weary
my eyes close and I pray for
the sleep of the dead
–
falling-
engulfed by darkness
deep and dreamless

quietly aging-
under the stairs, a box of
curling photographs
–
wind blown leaves-
walking slowly
hand in hand

speak not of winter-
late autumn flowers bloom through
lightly falling snow
–
caramel sunlight-
autumn’s first
turning leaf

exploring the world
starting with the common ground
found beneath my feet
–
fading sunlight-
stone steps
along my path

trapped in the darkness
never wanting to leave this
beautiful nightmare
–
hoarfrost-
webs frozen
on the moor

faded love letters
the pages of our marriage
dog-eared and wrinkled
–
mulled cider-
clothes fresh
from the dryer

living day by day
striving to open my mind
and keep my mouth shut
–
nests amid the rafters-
prayer bells ring
in the rain

the gathering rain-
reflections of my spirit
clouding my windows
–
dirty windows-
the outside world
smeared by the rain