a rally of leaves

pepper the front yard —

a small gathering forms

beneath the maple

and the oak

husband does all the cooking

garbage patrol is my domain

mowing, half & half

he does the front, I do the back

brittle October morning

these are the days

I’ve looked forward to all year

so few, so far between

but oh! so worth the wait

acorn squash & sausages   

Honeycrisps, for apple crumble

hearty supper, scrumptious dessert

all in one (autumnal) fell swoop

crisp autumn air

I love the brisk chill

hands seeking warmth

in my hoodie pocket

tumbles of shriveled hydrangea

flyaways from our neighbor’s garbage

the rattle of northwesterly winds

frost warnings for the overnight —

an unsettling toward what comes next

I strike at my chest —

ritual dictates three measures.

in truth, though, that’s only

just the suggested gesture.

my core, I could scoop

and hollow it out —

and then some.