in the wheel of earth’s years
we watch as Autumn’s clock
tick-tocks in tiny goldenrod
September petal’d seconds
frosty trees bleed scarlet hours
through veins of October leaves
amber minutes wither and fall
drifting in November’s breeze
and the silent strike of midwinter
turns December’s snowflake gears
—Terri Guillemets
leaves — lovers
of the gentle breeze
trees — brothers
of roots that weave
soil — giver
of life through earth
sun — mother
of golden light’s birth
—Terri Guillemets
leaves dancing
in a brisk breeze
on an almost-bare tree
joyous at autumn’s wake
they tremble, ready
to be free, to sleep
with past seasons —
dying, they celebrate
the awakening of winter
—Terri Guillemets
the leaves all dance
to the same breeze —
but some flutter and some fall
some shiver and some sway —
and when a gust comes
they lose themselves —
but are no less beautiful
on the ground, where resting
they still yet dance, but free
—Terri Guillemets
We’ve lost, we’re losing,
it’s so much loss, too much.
But the clouds are rolling
and the breeze is blowing
and nature is so beautiful
and the dried delicate leaves
are doing their dance of balance
between hanging on and falling away
amidst their wintry shiverings —
they love the wind
for helping them let go —
they fall to the ground
and the gentle rain comes
and helps them nourish the earth.
A gray bird lands on a bare gray branch
both unadorned, yet so, so beautiful.
And the leaves are drifting
and our lives are drifting
and loss is just another form of beauty.
—Terri Guillemets
dried crackling leaves —
though dead —
are never quite still
—Terri Guillemets
first cold-weather storm of the season
yellow leaves flying off windy trees
birds pecking out a last-minute snack
sudden rain pelting shivering shrubs
—Terri Guillemets
Yes!
the delightful serenity of an autumn breeze
colorful leaves meandering as they please
—Terri Guillemets
green-veined leaves suddenly blushing copper
bronze-edged trees swaying in autumn breezes
gold foliage drifting past pewter branches baring all
brass-hued leaflets dying in beauty, falling in grace
—Terri Guillemets