heavy clouds
sweep in low
over dark water
supernal beams of sun
highlighting
distant patches
of turbulent
quicksilver

mallards
and canada geese
mingle at ponds edge
those in the water preen
flicking down
those on land
drowse on one foot
bill tucked
beneath a wing
standing
like a stone

only yesterday
the fragrant caress
of the warm
august breeze
soothed
touching my bare skin
calling me
lover
urging me to stay
and stay

today
i turn my collar
to the chill
stay
because i must

i need to know
before the snow
unwilling to migrate
unable to hibernate
i need to know

how can i penetrate this pain?
how can i survive this loss?
how can i again endure
the coming of the cold?

suddenly
wind singing
high in the trees
gives clear reply
reminding me
that though
indian summer's
brilliant bouquet
of crimson
ochre
and flame
has yielded
to november's muted tones
of brick and rust
white pine
and eastern hemlock
stand sentinel
against
the advancing season
swaying
as they whisper
sage advice

ever
green