out front early November

the tree’s all changed outside
the window

every leaf is orange-red
and
many leaves have
fallen
though enough remain to make an orange-
red tree for autumn

the tradition
unspoken treaty with Northeast nature
and
Northwest
and Canada
and there is autumn like this in
Iran
and then Australia and how many
receive the auburn gift
of
trees having turned
at last

then listen to the languages of
leaves and branches as articulated by the wind
though might
speak
anyway to quiet

all saying
it’s this time
colors next
to evergreens that rushing speak as well
uttering
all time is time

but for deciduous it’s mortal glory
then
a season for resting before bringing back
seeds
with all the species promised

c l couch


photo by Robbin Grimm on Unsplash