near where the wheat field lies cut down.

the rot of pumpkins

mixed with the buzzing of

the last bees with

enough gusto in them to

hang on and

swarm the fallen apples in the orchard;

the crisp chill

across cheeks

that almost seems to sizzle

when combined with the

bright warmth of the October sun…

all of these and those

remind me

this is the time of year

when love comes to town.

Fresh bales of hay

and corn fields that

gave way to mazes only yesterday

now crunch underfoot;

so much falling

back to earth

starting anew.

memories, underfoot-

giving way to the weight of all I am

longing is

cutting across the open fields

and whipping at my cheeks

as

thoughts of her

shine down in rays from above.

my heart

threshing

casting off

the bad thoughts

the sad thoughts

leaving me with snippets of joy

to feast upon

through the harshness of a coming winter.