Hail, bright crescent, when leaves begin falling,
when crisp brown skins scatter before chill gales.
Grass dries swiftly, becomes brittle and pales.
At sunset, all the gray geese are calling,
and still waters amplify their honking
as they gossip of their journey’s travails—
girlish geese take a gander at the males,
sizing up mates for future partnering.
Snakeroot flourishes on abandoned ways;
calico aster loses its petals;
cattails release their seed-sails to the breeze.
Blue jay seems surprised by shortening days,
but squirrel feasts on wind-fallen apples.
Autumn advances, deaf to Summer’s pleas.
