observations on an autumn day
by Kitty Boots
the ospreys have left
remnants of stick nests dangle from trees
leathery egg cases from terrapins are still visible on the high tide line
I rescued babies during the last Nor'easter,
struggling in the surf, egg yolks still attached
moved them up to the estuary and crossed my fingers
the morning shadows are different
and even as the day gives way to a cobalt sky
the sun is slanted, weak
the mulberry tree is discharging yellow leaves,
crimped and bordered with fungus
the pines lay down a soft, brown carpet of needles
Guernsey lilies defy the drought and burst out of the ground like scarlet sparklers
only female hummingbirds now and golden finches have changed suit to olive drab
a harvester sits in the middle of a corn field,
a river of yellow kernels flow with the dust and haze
macho bucks in velvet defy you driving down the lane
they'll need that bravado
hunters are already running their hounds, driving deer onto the beach
time to wear orange
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Author's Note
autumn in my neck of the woods
Other stories by Kitty Boots
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I love this, the parts I recognize and the parts you just taught me. Love. *
This is marvelous! I'm still dazzled by "Guernsey lilies defy the drought and burst out of the ground like scarlet sparklers."
And the "orange" at the end spurs multiple emotions.
Excellent.
You write with all the clarity of Kodachrome.
*****
Gorgeous!
Thank you, Keith U.!
Thank you, Matt. Lycoris radiate, aka, Guernsey lilies, Hurricane lilies, British soldiers are my favorite fall flower!
Thank you, Gary. How's fall in Texas?!
Thank you, James, sometimes better than other times. Difficult to "pare" away the clutter!
Thank you, Amantine B! :)
What JLD said. Truly.