October

Mums of gold and burgundy
against the smoke from burning leaves.
Trees’ bright party clothes fading
to old world tapestries.

Crystals of dew on spiders’ webs,
preserves put up in jars.
Warm fires, sweaters, friends,
crisp nights spent gazing at the stars.

Hay stacked beneath bright blue skies,
stalks of corn tied together with twine,
plowed fields of brown corduroy,
russet red apples and warm pumpkin pie.

Tracings of white on window panes,
the scent of snow in the air,
caterpillars wound in silken robes,
the calendar sauntering down the year.

Halloween creeps nearer
with bonfires and tiny spooks
seeking treasure from strangers
who freely hand out loot.

Winter’s on the horizon,
frost’s upon the ground,
apple cider and doughnuts,
leaves all falling down.