For Tess

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My first pass at this poem was for Lillie McFerrin's Five Sentence Fiction, and is posted here. The ending is a bit dark and ominous, and I had reservations about writing it that way. The autumn is a time for reflection, and about enjoying nature at its best. The clear air, the bright colors, the holidays—there is so much about the season I enjoy. After the beginning of the year, however, there are the cold, short days of winter. While winter has its own charms, it can also be a dreary contrast to the fall. Just ask anyone with seasonal affective disorder. Perhaps that is what came out in my first poem. I had even thought about writing two versions of the same poem. When Tess made comments with some of the same concerns that I had, I decided to add a version with a brighter ending.

This one is for you, Tess.

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Autumn Dream

  

Twisting, turning, colors burning,
On the wind they dance,
Slowly strolling, gently rolling,
Down the lane they prance.

The season's call makes others fall
Like red and orange snow,
Forming waves of brown and beige
And yellow all aglow.

Then frosty nights trim leaves in white,
A fragile crystal lace,
And frigid air, despite due care,
Nips every child's face.

Spread like charms across the farms,
Pumpkins now appear,
And apples feed the occasional steed
Or wandering white-tailed deer.

Though hints of snow on north winds blow
That whisper wintry ways,
Young couples smile and pause a while
In dreams of autumn days.

                                                 K. R. Smith

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