The Hinge Of Autumn, The Rubies In The Rain

the afternoon falters and the heart beats slow
in vapid summers one dreams of future snows
and prescience cries, "alone"

as the crows in autumn music seem
the year will unfold
its screen of rains

the candle sputter in the drizzle
the one you were holding to see by
the least leaves fail.

fall softly to the ground
I whispered to the rubied trees
fall softly

fail light, light
before the encroaching night
fail like rust

but only into God.

mary angela douglas 23 august 2017