Fall

In the night
         the thermometer
has fallen
         the wind too
and fallen petals
         now litter the base
of the porcelain vase

Later rain will fall
         and the wind will rise
and autumn will shake
         more rusty leaves
from the tired trees

It’s an endless cycle
         and next year’s beauty
will be just as uplifting
         but we are in the Fall
and all but
         the tender human heart
is falling
         falling

John Lyons