Mr. Autumn

Hello Mr. Autumn, you empty your pockets

In leaf-song and rain-song and splashes of sun

You are a piper; we dance in your shadow

Guile-less seduction of beauty and brawn

Oh Mr. Autumn, you tease us and please us

We almost forget who your successor is

Pumpkin-pie pleasure, apple-orchard treasure

Oh Mr. Autumn, how fine is your kiss

Dear Mr. Autumn, bronze arm ‘round our shoulders

Lest we’re distracted by noon’s brooding chill

You lure our gaze to the raiment of woodlands

We’re soon mesmerized by your vexatious thrill

Sweet Mr. Autumn, like kindness of strangers

You touch us and we don’t know what to say

While ever so deftly you run rampant fingers

Over our eyes before slipping away

© Janet Martin