The Autumn Leaves

Sharing Stories

October 30, 2023 at 10:33 a.m.

...by April Ryan

THE AUTUMN LEAVES

I slipped on wet leaves, slick as snow.
Lost my balance—shouldn’t I know?

Seasons change—disappearing hot days,
fogged mornings covering chilly sun rays.

Mother Nature’s paintbrush, earth’s greatest artist,
stained leaves match her mood-ring color test.

The maple tree near my window—summer green,
painted touch of Mother Nature’s wand—unseen.

Overnight she dressed up leaves in radiant red,
looking like a flame—hotter than a match head.

Atmospheric Rivers dumped overflowing rain…
cats and dogs—the sky falling down the drain.

Father Time welcomed autumn with a thunderbolt,
directed a baton of lightning—a soaring, roaring jolt.

The backyard camouflaged in falling leaves,
multicolored like 60’s shag carpet weaves.

Bright sun cleansed dark clouds—a daytime return to order.
Drying rows of autumn leaves—look like a wallpaper border.

Autumn leaves à blushing strippers baring branches,
preparing for seasonal springtime blooming dances.

April Ryan, Seattleite, is a retired bus driver and active poet, often appearing in Northwest Prime Time’s ezine.

SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).
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