how great the fall
crashing down around my head
how great the dread i feel
when winter breathes her first chill
across the land
the great hoar undresses gnarled limbs
then laughs her limpid taunts
how i hate her voice
the icy screech of it grates on my brain
it bodes a pernicious nothing
the mind asleep
too tired even to dream
the swirl of flakes on a ridge
gusting into nothing
another leaf
and nothing yet to tell
it bears the weight of my thoughts
then drops
blown onto the street
into the gutter
trampled to mulch by laughing children
i yearn for your warmth
face pressed to the pane
back to me stark and white
please
we argued yes and anger set me blazing
but now
oh i see the leaves turning
enraged by the chill of the shoulder blade
turn to me now
warm for me now
