After...

Autumn stretches and settles now

Her call of beauty heeded

Over and done, her color-show

Expectation exceeded

She lays her head on summer shed

And lifts a toast to winter

While some onlookers ache with dread

And others host a shiver

Her limb and scrim a farewell hymn

To nature’s leafy laughter

And hillside lamplight growing dim

Poised on the brim of After

© Janet Martin