Before I go

Let me drink this rich wine

Let me sing my delight

 

This gold red dawn has promise:

vibrant with the cold sun

vanishing valley mists

leave damp spider web to shimmer

mistdrops on the long reeds

and ungathered lawn leaves

damply shining

against the muted green of wet grass.

This amber morning has perfection:

wonderfully wooded leaf tints

golden brown and pale yellow

lie next to burnished russet

and the red of a spiky maple leaf

the sun catches copper cinnamon lights

from wet bramble leaves in the hedge

every yellow, brown and red against the green.

This golden morning has wonder:

hidden garden umbrage

flowering-currant leaves

are yellow-green shading to brown

on the bush but the leaf fall of the birch

and the ginkgo is pure butter yellow;

amongst the shrubs some flame gold

glowing flames among the green.

 

Before I leave

Let me offer this empty glass

Let me share my joy