Our summer garden shivers and droops

When long sunny days collapse into fall.

The flowers stretch on lengthening stems

Reaching, bending, posing in camber,

Tossing their heads for maximum sun.

But the sunflowers throw shade.

Peonies shrivel. Dahlias dig deeper,

Vines thick as rope, winding, finding

A low route over the well-meant wire fence

Past a red brick border, petals like flames of

Burgundy, lemon-yellow on orange.

In a sudden rush, the petals let go as

Autumn winds blow, cold and low,

And in the short, shivering twilight

Even the obdurate oaks surrender.

We imagine their radiant leaves as warm blankets.

Snug and sheltered, seeds sleep until spring.