autumn

autumn smells of puddles of rain
that have formed over fallen leaves
mixed with pumpkin and spices
he is the scent of warmth on rainy days

autumn looks like cinnamon cheeks
with freckles and hair of orange leaves
spattered overalls and squelching wellies
he is the picture of a yellowed tree

autumn laughs like children at school
and his voice crunches like fallen leaves
quietly, beckoning the cold of winter
he speaks like the whispering wind

autumn tastes like harvest feasts
and criss-cross flakes of apple pie
a kiss from autumn is a kiss of sugar
of his lips that have licked the maple

autumn feels like cornfield maize
and the bumps of scarecrow posts
rough and fragile to the touch
his hands in mine are dry leaves

autumn smiles in harvest fortune
his cheeks rosy and overfed with pie
autumn dances under empty branches
and he is gone with the falling leaves