Autumn Get-Together

Golden fields and bright blue sky

backdrop geese as they fly high

above the barns a'filled with grain,

dry and safe from autumn rain.

Grandma's cooking pumpkin stew.

Trees adorn with every hue.

Horses prance in the crisp breeze

while cattle repose under trees.

A farm truck rattles up the drive;

brothers, uncles, and their wives

pile in as quick as able

and find their places at the table.

The hound dog begs at Master's knee,

and the cat meows its baneful plea.

The children drop morsel and crumb,

and everybody there gets some.

Beds are made and bellies filled.

Quilts ward off against the chill.

Stars arrive where they belong,

and crickets sing a goodnight song.

A fire crackles in the grate,

and grown-ups stay up talking late.

This is the happy autumn glow

that lasts until the first white snow.

********

Kimberlee Long, October 10th, 2018