Fall Comes in Whispers

One day you notice

Socks on your feet in the morning
Tannin in the marsh

A little less green on the trees
Geese squawk their way south

Flying in V's leading the clouds
Gray towers leaning to the mountains

They float quickly

Golden sunsets turn lavender

The earth becomes gold
The squirrels seem busy

Run carrying winter's food
Deer leave their lofty peaks

And descend to valleys
Nothing much to notice if you are not aware

Then there are the busses

Big and small and the campers
Leaf hunters invade fortified with Nikons

And dreams of youth
The golden years come just as gently

As the fall's frozen pictures
With grace and beauty

And the knowledge of the spring