I have seen the color from the mountains, 
Witnessed peaks bronze into shades of copper, 
The air crisp like dollar bills, 
Seen leaves scatter from the hills of Appalachia, 
Watched them float like hammocks, 
Flutter like tired wings - dutifully - 
Like a cat that knows its dying day, 
Obedient to the season like migrating birds. 
I have shuddered from the breeze 
Of still sunsets, 
Lost my mind in lava skies of soft magenta, and prayed 
Like the pious to each blazing star at night. 
I have nursed myself by fires, 
Desperately counting on that last twig for ignition, 
Seen visions in the flames - 
A wolf once sat by me for hours as we watched the logs swelter and recede 
Like fistfuls of sand- 
And still I cannot understand 
Loss, but I can accept it.
I have plucked guitars, mandolins, 
Banged on djembes, tambourines, 
Danced madly, high on my love for folk music, 
Celebrated the harvest to the tunes of Neil Young. 
     Yes, I have loved it all. 
But I have also seen the fall during strawberry mornings in our apartment, 
The way the light melts into pools, like a carpet of sunshine
As you scrape the jelly on the toast and the cats sleep by the window
And I have loved that most. 

LBCH