Autumn Deep

In these latter days of autumn

there’s no time to mourn

the last golden leaves still clinging

to dark, bare branches.

The earth’s long pirouette has been gathering

in the cold from celestial blue above

and the warmth of the emerald sea below

to scatter prism-shot snowflakes,

draping once verdant rainforest in ice and hoarfrost.

The taste of rich red cinnamon and the

sweet depths of chocolate touch our lips,

there are shiny stars to count in the night sky

and fiery meteors to track underneath the serene moon,

this is December, in our corner of the world

a madcap snow globe whirl…

One of many “Bright Nights'” beautiful polar bear sculptures set amid 3 million lights in the forest in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.).

This poem is a result of a poetry challenge from my dear neighbour Huguette and our lovely friend Jacqueline, asking if I would like to write a poem about December. You are both very dear to me and I hope you enjoy reading it (I’m also looking forward to reading yours!).