Autumn
Morning
Rose and marigold sunrise
breaks through,
an exotic beauty of the East
veiled, bejeweled, captivating
she renders her enticing dance
as trees shower saffron and russet leaves
petals strewn upon her stage

Autumn
   Afternoon
No butterflies appear
no hummingbirds
the late day sun spreads
a golden blanket
for aster, rose, and dahlia
its folds
the shadows soft and
dreamlike

Autumn
the world slows
around me

Summer blossoms nod
drifting off to sleep
while the breeze invites
a crimson leaf
to dance
one last dance

Autumn
I sit alone in my garden
as if holding
the hand
of a dying friend