Father Time…Out for a Walk

Father Time made his quarterly course
Through my neighborhood recently.
He is an unstoppable force—that One.
First, He painted the trees a most pleasant
Variety of colors—orange, pink, yellow,
Gold, watermelon, deep crimson, and...
A few, however, He chose to leave summer green
For a while longer. I don’t know why.
Perhaps He wanted to set aside some of His
Generous beauty for a later date—or, just to
Let us know Who’s in charge down here.
It’s been that way since I can remember
And even before that, I’m sure.
He continues moseying along, day by day,
Turning down the local thermostat ever so
Slightly—a little bit at a time, you see.
Did I mention that He’s at the controls?
Sometimes He stays up late at night,
Just so He can adjust the temperature
To a lesser setting, while we're busy at sleep.
Do you think He might do this to wheedle us into
Inching closer and snuggling up
With that being whom we adore
More than anyone else in the world?
His magnificent sea of colors is set against
The most glorious azure sky I have ever seen—
One that makes me glad I’m alive.
Too, there’s an inexplicable crispness in the air,
Something that fills my spirit to capacity with joy,
All because I know in Whom I believe.

© 2009 by David Lee Thompson