Tea with Autumn — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of fallen leaves.
“Leaf-Fall” — C.Birde, 11/21

Underfoot,

restive shift & drift

of fallen leaves –

maple, oak, hickory.

Above,

broad sky stirred

to depth of blue

half-recalled,

unprecedented.

Linger, Autumn.

The kettle boils –

always have I time

for you.

— C.Birde, 11/21

Affirmation — An Image

An artfully altered photo of a Sweetgum tree, whose leaves have turned yellow and orange, against a blue sky.
“Sweetgum” — C.Birde, 11/21


“I shall wrap myself

in Autumn blue,

stitched all through

with gold,”

— her affirmation glittered,

scattered light

as she spoke —

“& inhale

the pale pink fragrance

of the season’s

final, faded

rose…”

— C.Birde, 11/21

Objection — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of a nest of reddish-purple, dried Oxalis leaves.
“Dried Oxalis” — C.Birde, 11/21

The oxalis –

brought indoors

before first frost,

to save it

from expiry –

drops leaves

       wine-dark

       shriveled

       paper-dry

Tongueless

Mute objection

of cold & dark

to come.

— C.Birde, 11/21

Exchange — An Image

An artfully altered photo of autumn trees reflected in a slip of creek-rippled pond.
“Exchange” — C.Birde, 10/21

“Come…”

Her invitation arrived

in a refrain of gold leaves…

“We’ll watch the exchange

of russet, ochre, bronze

for green…”

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— C.Birde, 10/21

Reflection — A Poem

An artfully altered
“Beeches” — C.Birde, 10/21

Observe,

so sweet a sylvan pair

that for decades,

having side-by-side

together grown,

now glide

smooth torsos

one against another,

entangle limbs,

& gently,

oh, so gently sigh…

Observe & know –

tis yet another

thee & I.

— C.Birde, 10/21

Burnished — An Image

An artfully altered photo looking through the trees of shadow-stroked, leaf-carpeted earth.
“Burnished” — C.Birde, 10/21

“Yes,

day’s length shrinks,

pinched

at either end…”

Her leaf-crowned head

rustled agreement.

“…but I’ve burnished

the light to

g o l d…”

— C.Birde, 10/21

Twilight Bloom — A Poem

An artfully altered photo looking skyward through a towering screen of bee-filled, pale purple asters.
“Asters” — C.Birde, 10/21

Autumn’s twilight

blooms,

this froth of asters,

bee-filled & spilling –

unbridled –

about the garden’s

unkempt edges

Lace-edged foam

of white,

lilac,

lavender

borne & tended

in courtly fashion

along an ebbing

surf of green…

— C.Birde, 10/21

Sing — An Image

An artfully altered photo of a tiny blue Asiatic Dayflower tucked amongst dry leaves against a stone wall.
“Asiatic Dayflower” — C.Birde, 10/21

“Do you hear me?”

Her voice ascended –

russet,

orange,

gold.

“I sing to you through

the trembling throats

of Autumn

wildflowers…”

— C.Birde, 10/21

Rabbit Blessed — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of a rabbit nibbling grass.
“Rabbit” — C.Birde, 10/21

Forgive the intrusion;

this chance encounter,

such great, good fortune…

Dark eyes stare, fixedly, unblinking.

Legends say your Ancestor

fought the Sun, demanded

decreased heat & light, & won…

Long ears twitch & hinge & pivot.

That four spots on your cinnamon fur –

on each hind leg, behind each ear –

mark that ancient victory…

Rear leg stretches, scuffs base of ear.

Myth says, too, you are companion

to the Moon, your likeness pressed

upon her, silver-gray…

Whiskers flick, nostrils flare.

Well suited, as you may need,

to contraction or release,

is your sleek musculature & economy of form…

Wide yawn precedes a full-length sprawl

beneath the bronze-green hedge.

Mischief contradiction of creativity,

you hide in plain sight, unseen,

a duality of self, at ease…

Folds front paws, rests chin;

eyes close.

The dish in hand slopes water;

place it, eddying, on shorn grass.

The moment of connection,

of trust & recognition

slips past.

Bid farewell.

Depart –

Rabbit-blessed,

content, &

light-of-heart.

— C.Birde, 10/21

Caught — An Image

An artfully altered photo of a Helianthus flower in full bloom, from behind.
“Helianthus” — C.Birde, 10/21

“Sometimes…”

her voice slipped,

in wink & rustle,

through narrow leaves,

“I sneak up

on unsuspecting blooms,

& catch them

in the act of

photosynthesis…”

— C.Birde, 10/21