Autumn reconsidered

Routt National Forest, Colorado
photo by Sharon O'Toole
Autumn 2008
Cottonwoods show sparkling,
Leaves dusted with gold,
Like Midas’ hand
Grazed them and left
Burnished shimmers
On the green.
Oak brush shines orange
And brown and shows
A strange iridescent glow.
Autumn’s brush has touched
And waved its wondrous wand
And brought its magic.
Chokecherries hang so heavy
They draw my guilt
For I know I will not pick them,
Simmer them, stir sugar within
Their rich syrup
As I did with my mother.
But the pines are not green
But red like the oaks
And the chokecherries
And the Serviceberries.
Pine beetles make a mockery
Of autumn colors.
Aspen, once so golden
As to bring molten lava
To mind, pouring down draws
And searing the senses.
Now fight aspen blight
And stand leggy and brown.
It takes some getting used to.

Unpicked chokecherries
Home Ranch
photo by Sharon O'Toole
