Autumn

by Joan Moos
 
As summer's heat begins to wane,
the long days give way to colder, longer nights,
setting the stage
for the year's grand finale, autumn.
It is now that the season's pas de quatre
reaches its crescendo.
Like the fireworks on the Fourth of July,
nature sends colors of every shade
reaching into the air.
 
The cool, quiet hues of green
gradually change to a palette of brilliance.
Bright red berries decorate the branches
on some of the trees, exclamation marks
remaining though the winter months.
 
Leaves swirl in rainbows of color
as they are caught in ground thermals,
coming to rest in scattered piles,
just waiting for kicking
and tossing by the children.
 
The trees of autumn
have given their final salute
to the seasons of the year
before again shedding their finery.
A light breeze whispers a lullaby
as they begin their winter's sleep,
the lingering fragrance of the leaves
a toast to both the past,
and the seasons to come.
 
More poems by Joan Moos can be found in her book,
“To Soar: Life is an Attitude”,
available in most on-line bookstores.