pale leaves remaining on the branches

sunlit september
greens dark to pale but glowing
autumn comes slowly

yesterday the rain
brought cold damp misery here
presaging winter

but still the sun warms
the moist earth and we see the
vapour uprising

morning clouds gather
the wind takes them they are gone
warmer is the day

yet the year cycles
equinox apace approaches
seasonal turning

time of the harvest
the yearly celebration
of productive life

the only season though
is that of work of teaching
dutiful action