Purple asters and golden mums
Seemed touched by warmth
In a landscape fast cooling
With the sun’s dimming heat
While
Trees burst forth
In riotous color
A gaudy display of
Oranges, yellows, browns and reds
That delights the eyes
And hints at other
Simple pleasures
Like crisp, red apples
Golden pumpkins
And warm, bright fires
Snug at home
At night
White frost dusts the sleeping landscape
Freezing each blade of grass
And leaf and shrub
In rigid forms
That only come alive
With the gentle heat of day
And then
The rains begin
Gently at first
Then in downpours so fierce and steady
They mute the sun’s
Already fading light
And drain the showy colors
From the now dormant trees
Painting the world
In shades of gray
Still
In their wake
They leave behind
Not only drab brown leaves
And frosted earth
But the beautiful
Colorful memories
Of a fading fall
For us to treasure
When winter’s grip takes hold

From Telltale Signs (Bumbershoot, Inc. Press). 
© 2000 Miriam Ruff. Used with the author's permission.