~ with apologies to Gwendolyn Brooks

cinnamon spice tea

steeps in a Halloween mug

today’s choice, witchy-witch

straddling a broom

her shaded familiar

riding shotgun

breezy, brisk October morn

*

cut back the hostas, clear the patio

put flower beds to rest,

extract dahlia tubers

to store for next spring,

winterize the boat —

no more time on the water

*

transition season is underway

perverse pleasure

of an autumn shower —

may our rain gauges

quickly runneth over

Coco protects Mommy

he scares the bad guys away

so Mommy can drink her tea

in peace, so she can quietly journal

and read her poetry

in the soothing sunrays of an October morning.

early a.m.

quiet in the darkness

wind starts

to percolate

another breezy one in store

football on the TV

husband & I

tag-team a Halloween

jigsaw puzzle

puppy in submissive mode

rub my belly, please!

leftover Thai for lunch

fresh-baked Snickerdoodles,

sweet afterthought

it’s how the day goes

sometimes

nothing much

but actually, there’s

a whole lotta there,

there, too

it’s called love

and comfort,

sunshine

and warmth,

gratitude

that pretty much

encompasses

everything,

no questions

asked

today, continued warm temperatures

but tomorrow, southerly winds begin to blow

a little rain & cooler, crisper air soon to follow

so long summer; hello autumn loveliness!

I wrote a poem in tribute to the closing of a downtown Des Moines gathering place that closed its doors earlier this year. It appears in the local CITYVIEW online and print October issues.

I’m so pleased they’ve chosen to run it. I am grateful!

My poem, Ode to the Ritual Cafe, Downtown Des Moines, appears on page 15. Thank you for looking!