Low slow trill
Fainter by the day
This is what the cricket tells me . . .
Earth is tilting away from the sun,
The cold breeze raising goosebumps
Whispers, winter.
Leaves are moldering on the lawn,
The goldfinch has shed his sunflower vest
And donned a coat of mourning.
Oak is the last man standing,
Thatched in stiff brown.
This is what the cricket tells me . . .
The cornfields are stubble-ribbed,
Fine stopovers for flocks of geese
That drift down in squawking hordes
To feast on farmers’ leftovers.
Stalks have withered in pumpkin fields
Leaving squat orange Jack-o-lanterns
Ripe for carving.
This is what cricket tells me . . .
Frost is on the way.
That row of late-sown lettuce—
Waste of time—
Pick the Swiss chard now
Before it freezes.
Pull the rattling bean husks off the vine;
Next year’s seeds are dry.
This is what cricket tells me . . .
The Red-Tailed Hawk
Has caught a mouse,
One of this summer’s brood,
And devoured it in one gulp.
She knows, too
The season is gathering up her skirts
To take one last curtsey.
This is what the cricket tells me.
Melissa Shaw-Smith 
Nice! I like it a lot. Sorry no words as graceful as yours but just as true.
Glad you liked it and thanks for letting me know–appreciated.
Melissa, here you have put your best, in poetry or in photos! Loved everything, especially the last photo. Bravo!!! 🙂
Thanks, Fabio! Yes, those pumpkins are hard to resist
Wonderful and wonderful photos 🙂
Kind words–thanks!
You’re welcome 🙂
Great poem, beautiful pace, like the photos, like the season.
Happy you liked it. Thanks for letting me know.
Love that curtsey!
Glad you liked it, Kiki.
This has given me two smiles, one bright for the world and one soft and knowing.
Happy to do so! Thanks for letting me know.
This would make a great children’s story- as they walk their world in Fall.
Nice idea, Jeanne.
The cricket speaking…such a great thought. A sister poem awaits…your reply?
🙂
really liked it, thanks!
Hah! Great idea. Thanks.
Great write!
Thanks!
Fantastic poem and photos!. Best wishes to you!, Aquileana 😀
I appreciate your kind words.
I like this poem for its active imagery, like Autumn taking up her skirts for one last curtsy. The crickets speak to me, too, and I am sad at their silence in Winter. I am looking forward to reading more of your poems.
So glad you liked it, Roger. I’ve enjoyed reading about Rabbit Lane in your poems.
I love that field of pumpkins, looking like treasure! Splendid.
Yes, the colors of autumn in the Northeast U.S. are truly a treasure trove.
Love your site here Melissa! Thanks for stopping by mine as well and for following. Beautiful photos and writing. Love your profile picture as well. I look forward to more of your posts.
Tony, thanks for your kind words. Your work is a pleasure to read.
Your words and images are a wonderful reminder of what autumn means in the country-beautiful, heartless, ongoing-
Oh what a lovely summation of the poem. I really appreciate you reading my work.