Slightly autobiographical, based on a late entry to life through Autumn's portal.

The summer had burnished and gilded
my widespread land three months before
autumn sprinkled Australia's ancient sun-burnt earth
with leaves discarded from exotic rain forests, coolabahs, mighty gums, golden wattle.

Winter was only work-in-progress
when I arrived one month late for autumn
with only the excuse of a difficult birth, eased, I believe,
by smiles of encouragement from wide-awake skies.


Since that day, eighty-one autumns have confirmed my no-silver-spoon arrival,
have fortified my life blood existence,  have serenaded,
certified, celebrated the quality of achieved experience with the gentle sound of falling leaves;
have created milestones , relentless connections to my first Autumn.

(c)Patrick Talty 2005