Red, orange, and yellow leaves

Flicker like flames

Brilliant against the saphire sky

Contrasting with the deep blue-green of conifers

Maple, birch, ask and oak have

Thrown off their chlorophyll gowns

Expressing the heat of passion they kept hidden all summer

To seduce my soul

I walk beneath them indulging my senses

Intoxicated by vivid color

The crunch of dry folliage beneath my feet

Earthy perfume all around

Their passion yeilds to exhaustion

Winds whirl withering leaves to the ground

Naked trunks and branches then lie still

As we wait for winter's white blanket to wrap us in slumber