Autumn morning stroll

I walk early on an October morning.
Leaves are spread across the ground
in there gold and red some yellow
the victims of circumstance.

Aspens lean over the trail giving
a tunnel affect as I stroll along
wafting in the incense of musty leaves
and silver rimed plants sparkling
in natures endless splendor.

The whistle of a rumbling freight
echoes through the meadow
and a few birds take flight.
Three doe grazing look up
then go back to grazing side by side.

This is a moment I can live by
even though autumn signifies
the ending of things. I walk
a little slower taking deeper breaths
soon enough it will all be over
soon there will be new change.

For now I am here and there is
much to see as a woodpecker
disrupts the stillness once more
with the chiseling of its beak
on twisted boles of a leaning snag.
and a bevy of ducks land
simultaneously in the still pond.