The leaves are shades
of amber, crimson, purple
like summer sunset clinging
to the tree tops
In these autumn days
struggling against
the coming winter cold
that whispers
to us all
upon the north wind

the dark fall rain
feels slow and slimy
weighed down with
the sins of summer
pooling into points of regret
sluicing into drains
with murmurs of lost dreams
plopping down heavy with age
brought on by chances untaken
whispering through the chill wind
wishes that will not be answered