Autumn

the rustling breeze-
leaves coerced from their branches
to dance in the wind
–
quarantined-
milkweed seeds float
past my window

the bright hunter’s moon-
a ‘possum in my garden
gleaning the harvest
–
soft autumn eve-
the crackle of leaves
under marauding paws

thanksgiving morning-
a rafter of wild turkeys
wander through my yard
–
november frost-
a fresh dusting
of fallen leaves

cinnamon and sage
burgundy and chardonnay-
teasing the palate
–
daubed into
a hillside canvas-
autumn’s colors

a bite in the air-
nighthawks begin flying south
along the shoreline
–
orange moon-
the year’s work
ready for harvest

autumn afternoons-
leaves plucked from swaying branches
dancing in the breeze
–
overcast-
shark scales
above my head

herds of fallen leaves
stampeding across my yard
following the wind
–
lakeside-
leaves crisping
beneath my feet

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

an eclipse of moths
dancing around the asters
joyful for the fall
–
october dawn
sycamore seeds
drifting in the breeze

an afternoon walk
the shuffling of footsteps
through the fallen leaves
–
a quiet brook
the sharp snap
of a dry twig