Autumn

Poetry

photo and rendering by the author

Autumn
Blustery faced
by Saturday’s green river
distilled in deepening light
the falling of cider suns bent through
a thicket calls a steeple chiming
November’s end. I drink
deeply this season’s praise.
The evidence decanted through halls
of yellow leaves and red between
the tall avenues, fruit spilled; seed fallen
in the stillness of trees.
The scarlet of smooth sumac
this early fall wind
apple red to my cheek
fallen yet
a blush on days set
by the hush of rain, the stars change
tree crowns fallen
leaf to mound follows.
Where sleep seeks sleep
whose dreams increase
what night covers cry
beneath the black bowl deep
seeds in darkness lie.
I hear them whisper
soft wind reft beneath
a peace left small
for I, like them
the truth begins
the long night’s season
whispered strife
sows’ reason
from a hollow heart, the second light
the sundered roof life
anew the night sod flows
to the heavens below
a garland grown
of boughs
a basin trough
sown in stars.
In the long-wooded trough
of evergreen climes
I dream the loft wide to
a deep blue sky
beneath a cider sun
the secret light left
quelled down the long
slow seep of sap
sleep spelled
in the tick
of acorns felled
beneath miles of silent trees.