Autumn Equinox

on the first day of Autumn
all I can think of
is Summer in your arms

but this Autumn sun
can't light your face
the same way

and today the night begins
to win over the day
and each day is a breath
shorter than before

but not so breathless
as you left me
time and again
when the sun lingered
so long on the horizon
I thought it would never set.

Another year is passing
into Autumn
leaves change and fall
to decay in the soil

the days grow colder
and these memories are
the perfect blanket
to ward off this chill

Somewhere beyond
my rain streaked window
maybe you are wrapped
in this same blanket
remembering.

Don McGonigal
September 2004