As Leaves

This sky of cloud and blue,
That bends the tall grass,
Tugs the fading frond,
Carries flakes of color,
Turning them, tipping them,
Setting them to rest
within the fields of amethyst and gold,
As with a fallen leaf.

Fields of goldenrod and aster

Following Butterflies

We’re on that bumpy road to autumn.
Where chilly mornings give way to hot afternoons.
And a light jacket becomes your best friend—never too far from reach.

Cherry leaves

We received, after weeks without, a day of rain.
Just enough to brighten the fading colors of summer in the field and leave its dust-spattered signature on my newly cleaned windows.
It seems drier in these last several years, than I can ever remember.
The grass on the lawn, crunchy and brown.
Trees’ leaves, curled and already fallen.

Maple leaves

A sort of sad scene, as fall can sometimes be. Especially when the eagerly awaited colors are missing from the landscape.

I find myself lingering longer.
Not wanting to go inside until I have found something more uplifting.
And, by finding it, remind myself that it is always there.
To be found, if I am patient.

Can you guess what the colored leaves belong to?

Like bright spots peeking through bent grasses.

Tall Ironweed

Or a single orange butterfly that lights on the brown seed heads of Tall Ironweed, and then skips on—
to Asters!

New England Asters

And the mystery plant, when all around is brown, boasting leaves in shades of orange, crimson and burgundy--
poison ivy!