autumnal

the world is colder than before

north winds exhaling dragon breath across the valley and

my doorstep where i wait for the bus (bumblebee against concrete),

rubbing my hands together and

feeling my cheeks redden before the whispering chill, brighter

than cherries but who could ever claim to take brightness

away from the parade of ball gowns up and down my street,

fire

enveloping the sidewalk but i don't shudder as i breathe in deep

the smoky air crisp in my mouth, rolling on my tongue

like apples and honey thickening my words as these breadcrumbs

(sorrow) 

and rocks

(forgiveness) 

tumble into the dark waters of the champlain,

splashing water into the face of the sun who cannot begin

to shine yellower than the goldenrod by the side of the highway,

nor the sky bluer than the asters cushioning me as i begin to freefall

catching cirrus clouds in my cupped hands, peering

down at this cracked sidewalk pretending this puddle is the sky

and that the nights are velvet 

pricked through with bloody needles,

embroidering a silver-lining moon and the jack o'lanterns 

watching with glowing grins.