Hope Cox
Warm breeze lingers on long September days
as children frolic upon playgrounds
School bells ring out, signaling the end
students saunter home
Drawn-out days of summer seep into plunging
dark skies with prolonged nights
Sudden chills creep up the spines,
ushering in swift forthcoming winds of autumn
Gradients of lush, cozy hues slowly spread across the green leaves
like dancing flames in a vintage fireplace
Warm golden yellows deepen into rich amber
Crackling sparks of embers fade
into burnt oranges and fiery reds
Lattes and cozy oversized sweaters
The smell of pumpkin spice looms
through the air as it wafts and lingers
steam of nostalgic memories
Children jumping in giant piles of crunchy leaves
Monsters and ghouls roaming streets for buckets of candy
Families gathering around draped tables piled full
of savory treats like turkey and stuffing
Savoring the moment to be thankful
as they chomp down a comatose feast
Last leaf descends from the top branch
as the first snowflake drifts in the frosty air
Bitterly cold winter wind is whipping skin
as children run past to play in white fluff
leaving behind little angels and a village of snowmen
Halls decked in holiday cheer await Santa,
cookies and lukewarm milk sit on a tray
Shining new year lights crescendo into the sky
emitting gold, red, and silver sparkling puffs of fallen flowers
cascading prosperity and luck across the horizon
New resolutions and a decisive groundhog
Awaken groggily to see a vanished shadow below winter clouds
Spring comes early as snow melts and seeps back into the earth
Replenishing sleeping foliage and nourishing forest seedlings
April rinses the earth while little tykes
Stomp and splash in little red rain boots
and parade in oversized yellow raincoats
Sweet springtime fragrances swirl
around their sniffling nostrils
as they hop from puddle to puddle
giggling on the school playground
Warm rays meet their wondrous smiles
walking home in summer’s setting sun