Autumn Crowds

AUTUMN CROWDS All night shaking and banging the metal roof, Grey old water-laden crowds Blocking the warmth of autumn’s sun; Long uncut grass flows smooth as a cat’s fur Under the scoops of the wind’s bluster. Tall skinny Jerusalem Artichokes Waving wildly with sunny yellow smiles, Almost falling over with excitement At seeing over the fence-top our own artichokes Which they have grown up with for months: Children excited to see the neighbor kids In a chance meeting at the seaside. Plums and apples in jars now. Smells of sugary preserves linger in the kitchen. Tiny young fruit flies swirl around the compost.