the clarity of autumn

we see the light appear and do its dance
on walls and roofs and from the sides of cars
the complex weavings of a normal chance
and flashes as of tiny intense stars
the glistening dark leaves remind us that
winter is coming with its frigid breath
through bare branches even wind sounds flat
and we seek other kinds of little death
the works and days into each other merge
exhaustion's limits must be overcome
we pull ourselves towards a final surge
but even the noisy birds are now struck dumb
light can bring warmth that thing we realise
but more than that joy to our weary eyes