Autumn Snow

Early Snow

by Susan Bagley

Autumn yawns from dull routine

and as if to perk up the boring scene,

of fading leaves reluctant to let go,

has sent a surprising Autumn snow.

I stare with wonder across the white-orange lawn

as I ponder where three seasons have already gone.

I reflect on the simile of the icy flakes

collecting, as my memory rakes

through bright recollections, colorful scenes,

withering hope, and fallen dreams.

I sigh with ambivalent attitude,

decide to ignore the thoughts that intrude

on my contemplation of Autumn's glow

competing with the early snow.

Susan, wherever you are, your poem fit this day to a T. I changed the third line though. I hope you never know of it, or if you do, that you don't mind. Go and snow fit much better than boughs and snow. To be fair, here's the original third line:

with the leaves half shaken from gray-brown boughs,

This is the earliest snow of my memory. It's a special day all right, but it wasn't the unexpected drop-in of snow that made it so. It's Colin's 21st birthday! We hope he got our package on time, and had fun giving himself a twenty-one gun salute.