Autumnal Days

Autumn's touch is seen when trees
Begin to blush at summer's end,
A signal sensed in every breeze,
When soothing, cooling nights portend
Her new return as leaves descend.

She stalls the days of winter's freeze,
When trees, their branches all ablaze,
Array their leaves with artful ease.
It is the gown that she displays
To all who love autumnal days.

Cerise and crimson leaves can please
The pleading eyes of all who yearn,
Who keep awake for days like these,
To muse, to love, a time to learn.
But short, too short, is her return.