Autumn

 

The astringent smell after first frost

On a sunlit pale blue morning.

Myriad yellow golds and greens

Dapple the red-berried hedge

The shiny black beads of Elderberry

And the folding gilded grass

 

Autumn dew sparkles and lasts

Under a sun without fire

He is tired, worn out and fading -

A primrose memory of his passionate summer self

 

The chill air stirs the vacant apple boughs

And barely moves longer and deeper shadows

across the garden

Bird song is brief

Poignantly sweet

Rare

And unanswered

 

Autumn is beautiful but it makes me feel sad

And I need to know your love is with me

Unchanging