OCTOBER COTTONWOODS

I used to favor Spring
with its tints and sheens 
of green. 
Waking the tired ground 
with a toddler’s expectant 
smile. 

But now, I keep returning 
to your ember-like company. 
Now I keep wondering 
at your leaves burning 
orange-edged yellow. 
Like some mysterious candle 
made brighter by morning’s 
light. 

There, between 
tawny fields about to sigh
and oiled blue skies about to shout - 
you do neither. 
or maybe both. 
Through leaves dying, yet singing.

________________________

Jesse French
Executive Director