Sonnet: Fall

My distillate of summer, that red mane
 Learned color from a dawn-exploding sun;
 And smooth stream-polished pebbles of green jade
 That glow beneath quick waters, taught your eyes.

Warm earth instructed you: the summer soil,
 Prepared and fruitful, lies inside your skin,
 And lessons learned from deep-gold summer wind
 Make my mind breathless when I see you walk.

Your smile may show foreknowledge of year’s end,
 The sun’s cessation, and the wan leaves’ rain;
 But your bright smile, like glint of hidden lakes,
 Suspends the autumn in its changeless calm.

Come slight earth-goddess, guardian of old truth,
 And make me privileged pupil of your lips.