November 1989

autumn landed hard today

its chill wind started

somewhere west of here

by the rock of autumn

dropped in summer’s calm

soon all the land will feel its hold

blue skies given the lie

by dry brown leaves

in the corners of the curbs

too close now does winter lie

too soon that cold hand to fall

summer’s grace just barely ended

already attack is made

leaves lie frozen in the track

dead

like Alexander’s Greece

or Arthur’s isle

trod underfoot by feet

soon as well to fall