Autumn Colours

Autumn's cool is on the skin

And in the nostrils quivering.

The figs turn purple and burst red

And the honeyed tongue is pink.

We spread black netting over the leaves

Hoping to deter the bats.

The yellow hornets feast these days

In the time of orange persimmons.

Through the low crotch of a lilac shrub

I saw a young cardinal hanging

Upside down in the plastic mesh

Dead, more tangerine than red.

On the path I met a snake,

Nearly stepped on his shiny back

But the Genius warned me just in time

And I retreated carefully.

He raised his head reluctantly

And slowly lowered it again

When I told him that I meant no harm.

With Nature's kind I keep my pact.

The crabgrass now exultantly

Throws its last one million seeds,

The fescue deepens to a richer green.

Spotted dear leap away

From my silver car on the dust brown road.

Clear blue skies and gentle winds

Colour my heart as golden flames

Drop softly down the western world.