Florida's Autumn sunset paints the horizon
with colors almost as spectacular
if not equal to the Fall hues
of a New York landscape:

Royal foliage draped in rich amber,
yellow ochre, jeweled garnet,
rust, and calico maple orange
form an imperial procession
down 5th avenue across
Central Park and through the
metropolitan streets
eventually spreading into the
rustic countryside
of upstate New York

Around this time of year
when gold and cranberry mums
crown the local southern markets
and gardens
my heart turns northward to my
birthplace:

Flamboyant deciduous trees
shed their brilliant leaves
creating a palette of color that
would rival an artist's canvas

I can feel the hint of winter and Christmas
in the brusque breeze roughly brushing
my face crimson

Spicy scents of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger
from Mom's fresh baked apple pie
brings tears to my eyes
a little black girl in pigtails and pink frock
licking her fingers and the plate clean