Seasons

Autumn Woes  

As the season changes
and the days become shorter
I try to convince myself
to look forward toward the Holidays.

But I am a “summer girl”
born in July,
and cannot be consoled
even knowing that November rains
will soon transform the parched hills
into rolling carpets of green.

I savor the last clear, late summer days of the season
while noting the changes around me.
Brittle leaves quickly crushed beneath my booted foot,
while acorns drop from oak branches, onto my path.

At Saturday’s Farmers’ Market
the juicy, sensual flesh of ripe peaches,
and succulent strawberries,
are replaced with
thick skinned squash and pumpkins.

From time to time,
from November through March,
brief periods of offshore flow
will provide a relief from rain
and tedious overcast skies.

I will wait for warmth
and longer days to return.
I will wait for Earth to tilt again
and for my favorite season to return.




An excerpt from Where the Red Tailed Hawk Flies
Copyright 2006 by Gabriella Graham/Red Tailed Hawk Publishing