46W

Angled autumn light

Filters through the gathering

Clouds of winter

As I drive over the mountains

To the sea

–

Shines on the suede brown hills

Dances on the golden hue of the Canyon Oaks and Cottonwoods

Orange-red berries of the Toyon

Iron rust trunks of manzanita

And the steel blue Pacific Ocean

–

When I lived in Michigan

I stored fall colors in my mind

To bring out when the winter storms

Turn everything grey

Grey sky, grey snow, grey trees

–

But here in California

Winter rains will bring

Green hills rolling beneath

Sleeping trees and vines

c Linda Reed