The Intermediary Thief

It crept while I slept

Familiar descent on tiptoe

I knew would leave

but hoped would linger

just one more day

This shift

against which an entire planet kneels

Resignation letters to follow

And me…

cracking battered chest wide

not of gold

but of cold

shakes out woollen scarves and hats

gloves

thickest socks and thermals

locked months in musty time-outs

Such unrepentant sinners

joyous

now that skies darken early

and rustic winds

beckon gusts from Arctic north

and howls shriek ominous glee

soon uncaged

ready for solstice rule

And yes

I can hear it

Warm air may carry sound faster

but cold carries it farther

denser harder

deeper

Yes

I see it

adjacent to an un-orchestrated cold and flu virus free-for-all

Please…

just one more day

of last yellow-browning leaves

loath to

relinquish barest branches

Evidence of nature’s final defiance—mine too

—unless degrees fall

and can’t get back up

Therefore

I long after leaf

like a lover

with check-ins twice an hour

(double on weekends)

to feed a futile reassurance

It

will

let go

in irreverent isolation

when I’m not paying attention

yet its release

will pierce my throat

And oxygen

it wrought without rest to produce

noisily swirls grief

in these lungs

Honors a faithful photosynthesizer

‘til death did them

Aware that meteorological destiny

metes no favor

but

there’s no small mercy in

those sunset brushstrokes

more vibrant-clad reddish-purple hues

the firewood smoke's unmistakable slither across night skies

Closure sneaks comfort’s scent

near spiced apple dumplings

on outdoor flame

Its bubbles a protest

over forecast freeze

as one more day

slips away

and

while you slept…

in it crept

Thanks so much for stopping by for a read! It is appreciated more than you know.

Sending best wishes to all Vocal-ites who entered 'The Sound of First Frost Challenge.,