poem

 In the Fall

In the fall the trees seize

What belongs to them

And the leaves seethe 

Orange auburn and red.

Cling to their heights

Initially, it is said,

Out of pure spite 

But day follows day

And they find common cause,

Band together, decide to fight

And make a season of it.

At sunset the light

Passes through

And everything shines.

Suddenly this world

Is a warm fire

That won’t burn down.

It’s the last stand of anyone 

Who’s ever had everything

Necessary taken away. 

Right here, just before

They start to lose their grip

Is when we first realize

We are beautiful too. 

12/7/23