A squirrel leaves me a walnut
sheathed in green velvet,
then leaps and weaves away
to sort and bury his acorns.

Acrobatic crows hang
on bottom limbs
of kousa dogwoods,
devouring red berries

Just as September returns
sycamores on lakeside avenue
create an arch of golden yellow,
a royal welcome.

Burnished red on dogwoods,
yellow carpets of walnut leaves,
coneflower seeds, drying fuchsia,
wilting lilac tree, caterpillars,

I feel a lift in the cool breeze;
sigh as shadows lengthen;

What return shall I make?