October

Quench the sun with a clinging mist And adorn the land with amethyst; The grape already touched with frost Finds clustered fruit will soon be lost. The wind catches the leaves that fall And birds head south with anxious call; Frost comes quick to lick the flowers Who droop their heads in long lost hours. The crimson leaves brush bark that's rough To show leaves and bark are tree enough; And in the woods squirrels gather nuts While sleepy beasts look for winter huts; And the tremulous wing of a butterfly Etch fluttering flight in a sapphire sky. Up above shines a full harvest moon To hide the memories of long lost June; She shines with the aura of a gypsy rose With the in between of winter's snows. Then the faded earth and leaden sky Bid October a sad goodbye.