October canal —
capturing and reflecting
the leaves' brilliant hues

fallen leaves gone black
wet and slippery decay —
bringing in the news

tight little bundles —
the last zinnia buds
of the season

nor'easter coming —
the air holds all the rain
it possibly can

acorns underfoot
milkweed fluff in the air —
time to test the heat

the world was better
(I want to say to strangers)
when he was in it

underneath the trees
beneath the grass
voles digging tunnels

fewer flowers now
with hardly any bees
and our friend gone, too

so many photos
of the place the monarch
had just flown away from

we take turns
going out to moongaze
in our stocking feet

fall planting season —
digging one hole
after another

gibbous half moon —
my mother prepares to say
the thing she always says

as close to the fox
as I am to you now
and still not a sound

the bald eagle's
rookie year —
no white head yet!