Autumnal Equinox

Autumnal Equinox 2011
Ray Zimmerman
Published 2013

Sun passes equator.
Warm thin days
Mark fading year.
 
With long cold nights,
Sun races to vanish
In solstice darkness.

Male birds fade
To dull plumage.

Cranes move south
Follow geese and plover
Bound for the gulf.

Fox and coyote
Put on longer coats.

Taurus, Bull of Heaven,
Bane of Gilgamesh,
Scorched the earth.

He retreats skyward.
Orion pursues
Backed by loyal hounds

Cicadas cease their buzz, retreat.
Katydids rule the night,
Repeat scandalous gossip.

Katydid!
Katydid!
Katydid!