Change of Autumn Clothes

Last trees of leaves flutter bright yellow Aviary of canaries freed from their cage By this morning’s first clash of autumn snow Birds pour out crumble below Flatten their wings over the tiny beads Of their open eyes Pretend My little friends That a sing song can still fly I claw through my closets and drawers Discard dress shirts and pants Suits and blazers When I’m gone I don’t want my kids to think My God the greed we are left to sort through At the tailor shop I vowed that I’d come back some day To undo the waistlines he was hired to let out He smiled As I asked him if that ever happened? “No sir.” He joshed. “No, that never happens.” Stretches his measure tape to my sleeve Taps the gold wings of my cuff links “They could use a good polish If you don’t mind my saying.”