instead of marking i write this

starkness of the shadow brightness of the sky
the arid air that announces summer has ended
still there is green this day that stands no lie

i pause to think my mind and mouth both dry
what do i say what words can show these blended
starkness of the shadow brightness of the sky

this is no falsity the wind makes the leaves spry
we see the way the year in truth has tended
still there is green this day that stands no lie

the flowers still brave the cold yet they must die
their purple courage will in these be ended
starkness of the shadow brighness of the sky

we hear the music and feel the winds that try
to make the leaves do what nature intended
still there is green this day that stands no lie

i watch the bee across our late blossoms fly
as if the season's change could still be mended
starkness of the shadow brightness of the sky
still there is green this day that stands no lie