seasonal
because it is fall
and the smells of my lake
are misty with apples
because there is joy at
returning clouds, drizzle,
days when it's best just to stay in
evenings perfect for baths
so hot the windows in the house
all frost over
because it's time for coats
and turtlenecks and girls
with sweatered breasts
because fall's temptations
are slow, cool, a sigh
after frantic summer
because this year it arrived
exactly on time
because of these we raise a toast:
to the labors of summer now done
to the birds we say goodbye to
to houses that smell of nutmeg
to the turning of the world
to our feathered fall towards solstice.
—10/12/99