Autumnal Equinox

© 2011 Mary Saracino

Red maple leaves

sail through the crisp morning air

returning their brilliant

cargo to the waiting lap of earth

they kiss the soil

goodbye

& bear the darkness

of winter’s biding time

saying farewell to

summer’s heat &

blazing sun

equal parts

hope & death

this day, this equinox, a reminder:

all that rots

returns

renewed