In the autumn when leaves should fall,
A touch of spring crept slowly in,
bringing singing birds, cheerful 
blooms and greening grass to 
this weary, gray haired lass

Is this some age old second wind passage?
A hint of youth, a swell of rain in the desert
A salty sea breeze over an inland lake 
An old violin resting in the attic can still sing
When  gentle hands make the notes ring

A face, a name calls me in the night
In every thought a new hope grows
What could make this gray lady smile
When so much sadness has grasped the years
And these eyes have known so many tears?

The fire had nearly smoldered out leaving
A chilly room where I feared to laugh
Then comes a brightness that trembled
in my hand and quickened my heart's prance
Love in the autumn years is the sweetest dance

copyright 2004 by D.A. Chadwick