Autumn-lessons

I’ve learned to love a little slower

Here, in autumn-fingers curled

I have learned to linger. And I

wouldn’t trade it for the world

…wouldn’t trade it for that pocket

Full of dreams not broken yet

Wouldn’t trade my heart-shaped locket

For a love I have not met

Wouldn’t give back what life gave me

Simply to begin again

For it isn’t very likely

I’d do any better then

I admit, though summer charmed me

With its blue-gold chivalry

I believe it warmed and armed me

To withstand what yet must be

And somewhere while hours hurried

Into yesterday the clock

Taught me how to walk more slowly

 in its holy tick and tock

…taught me to revel in nothing

But the moment in my hand

Where in autumn-fingers lingers

But a remnant yet, of sand

© Janet Martin

Inspired while commenting on Sasha’s post tonight; one of a month of poetry too wonderful to miss!