Fall's Fading Fallow

The orchard has rendered its ruby

The fallow has tendered its gold

The woodland has lathered its beauty

Back to earth’s long-suffering hold

The banter of zephyr and rain-song

Garnishes every tree root

A moment’s insistence is ruthless

Stripping the stem of its fruit

The brook rambles through barren fallow

Replenished by autumn’s tear

Stalwart, the reed in its shallow

Braces for gales more severe

We too must render life’s ruby

We too must tender its gold

All things ephemeral journey

Back to earth’s long-suffering hold

© Janet Martin