Alban Elfed
Apple ripening on branch
Pumpkin, squash, full-round
Wheat stored, ready for grinding.
Night creeps upon day, until
We stand before Winter's darkness
This last night
Before dark overtakes bright
We sip first cider
Indulge in harvest feasts
And wait for first frost
To accompany night
The sunlight, full, sad, yellow
Stands equatorial
Between life and slow death
Leaves growing gold, red, orange
Like apples, pumpkins, squash
Cornstalks brown
Corn-dollies abound--
Small sacrifice
These are the last days
When grass is still green
Before trees turn naked and brown
The sun sets and we see
Orion, winter's clarion.
Mary Jones © 2003