One Perspective On a Fall

The last of summer has a light
that's like no other; autumn's appetite
has eaten half its color. What's left
is like the garden stalks that imitate
their fruitful days, standing tall
but hollow.

The yard still harbors ancient, injured toys;
too young, but they will not outgrow
or even feel the need for older
though they barely fit
on plastic meant for babies.

The season too's outgrown;
the wind politely sweeping out the trees
waits patient our departure.
On this last of days outside,
we mimic summer till,
the chairs upturned, the lighting dimmed,
we realize that it's only us 
and leave the empty lawn for home,
ushered by the dark.

October 17 2010