Dog

late autumn downpour—

remembering my old dog

and his rain-soaked coat

Coffee

gulping hot coffee

after an autumn downpour

soaks me to the bone

first storm of autumn—

buffeting winds drive the crow

away from her nest

autumn afternoon—

angling for the uncaught fish

in the clear, cold stream

November daybreak—

the owl in the backyard tree

prepares for her nap.

As autumn deepens,

even the cat near the hearth

can’t quit shivering.

Thanksgiving morning—

watching the geese gather strength

for their long flight south

After its pruning,

the grapevine near the back door

regathers its strength.

settling on the fence

where a crow often perches—

early morning fog

first rain of autumn—

a hole the size of the sun

in my umbrella