Autumn in New England

crisp morning air
as i wait for the bus
shivering under layers of fleece
first frost on grass.

trees whizzing by
in their brilliant
orange yellow green
a canopy of bright colors
waving in the wind.

apple pies
baking in the oven
haunted trail walks
on halloween.

maple creamees
fresh and melting quickly
somehow always taste best in autumn.

the sensation
that something is coming
whether a leaf blown by the wind
a smile
or a miracle
is always present
pulsing under my skin.

you can never explain
autumn in new england
without explaining first
how it feels
for the brilliant
orange yellow green
of the leaves
to disappear
vanished into the forest floor
bare scraggly branches
and mounds of snow
taking their place.

for the glory of days before
to disappear
slipping out of your hands
as tangible as the wind.

so when the last leaf falls
and the first snow spreads its icy wings
and summer is but a distant dream
i will dream of autumn,
the midway season
between sweltering heat
and frigid cold,
and i will eagerly await
its arrival.