the leaves fell like pieces of time across the still damp sidewalk

gently falling reminders of the world still turning

the now naked branches rattling in the wind

skeletal hands reaching out

once vibrant now gray with longing

the verdant sky gone amber

then bare

now a desolate memory of what was once

and will again

the birds still sing

can you hear them

trilling to the sun of warmer days

how the subtle ache sweeps across the patchy earth

of leaves where thick green grass once grew

to you the sun that still shines bright

a dress of gray clouds draped on your shoulders

a tinge of chilled solace

another season seasons the land that slumbers

the cyclical nature of death and heartache

brings a solemn beauty in all it lacks

autumn casts away illusions and draws a serious malaise in it’s place