Critters scurrying
Noisily through the
bushes—
Winter is coming!
Piled upon the bed,
The toys and the
teddy bear;
The start of First Grade.
Flocks of flapping crows
Announced the
morning loudly;
Scrounging carrion.
Hummingbirds have flown
To Mexico for
winter;
Cold weather coming!
The full moon and clouds
Played peek-a-boo
late last night;
The air crisp and cold.
Wantanabe’s wife
Pressing flowers
in a book—
Many years have passed!
The chipmunks refuse
To join my meager
picnic—
Come on ready ants!
Yellow aspen leaves
Declare the coming winter;
Pine trees surround them.
A fingernail moon—
Leaves collecting on the porch;
Summer is over.
Autumn crows gather
while golden leaves fly away;
Warm days and cool nights.
Cold granite rock makes
Vestigial tailbones ache;
At home, soft warm chairs.
Hot sun and cactus;
But when the sun-furnace sets,
A million cool stars.