The firelight casts
   an amber glow --
reflecting this amber season.
Acorn garlands hang
   with ease;
bowls of walnuts
waiting to be shelled.
Pumpkins brighten nooks--
vases filled with
   silver maple
dispel any gloomy nitch.
Apples wait to be baked
and pomegrantes
are a perfect display.
Dogs sleep by the
   hearth,
dreaming dog-dreams
of running through
   the fallen leaves --
while I make a wreath
of last summer's blooms
   gone to seed
and bittersweet vines,
their vibrant berries
   aglow.
Through the window
I gaze at the Autumn sunset:
tawny gold, pink-tinged peach
and pale blue-grey.
The air outside is chilled
a hint of Winter's cold
   to come.
But hearth and home
    are warm,
embracing this season's gentility.