Dear Fall

 

I refuse to weep while flowers climb the arbor...

...fringe the fence

I refuse to weep while flowers 

Climb the arbor, fringe the fence 

Not yet felled by eager hours 

Composing reminiscence 

Bind the wounds of sweet surrender 

With the petals that remain 

Till the north wind of November 

Snuffs the remnant gleam with rain 

Wrap the coral wash of morning 

Around wishes not fulfilled 

Turn my head to plumes adorning 

Rooms that death has not yet stilled 

Drive me wild with wonder’s gladness 

Pure and guiltless ecstasy 

Where nature ignores the madness 

Of troubled humanity 

Rouse the minstrels in green maples 

Playing preludes to a show 

Of astonishing ensembles 

Autumn’s color-crescendo 

Take my hand and draw me gently 

From fond summer’s fading street 

Lest I stumble accidentally 

Over blooms strewn at my feet 

© Janet Martin