Song Of October
I. As October crept o'er Novelty Hill, The fat moon blushed her fire, Morning wore a silver veil Above the dew-damp briar.
II. Geese above our quiet lane, Loud-honked complaints intone; Fields that rang with roots and grain, Lay still to sleep alone.
III. Snoqualmie's cold channel swept Bright willow leaves downstream; Row rowrow you tiny boats With summer's fading dream.
IV. Tree limbs bent low with russet fruit, The cider press was turned; Every fallen, fragrant orb Stored sunlight it had earned.
V. Proud parents smiled and waved goodbye: The big bus stopped, a door swung wide. Young scholars with their backpacks full Climbed confident inside.
VI. A lantern in the window burned For poets far and near; The ol' train station welcomed them To read and smile and share.
VII. Coyote tip-toe'd through the ferns, Hunting with silent feet; He paused outside the garden fence Where mint and mushrooms meet.
VIII. The market bid the park adieu, Halting harvest hopes; Old farmers counted back the change With hands like knotted ropes.
IX. The baker set his loaves to cool, Their crusts a burnished brown; As fog and daylight tug-o-warred Fresh bread smell roused the town.
X. The chimney awoke with the dawn, White smoke curled away; It brought a message to the clouds: “We'd love some sun today.”
XI. Sunday morning's spider webs Were jeweled with crystal rain; The smallest thread could hold the sun And make it shine again.
XII. Hot dogs cooked on skewer sticks, Warm cider smelled so sweet; Laughter rung around the fire That warmed our freezing feet.
XIII. At dusk, the distant churchyard gate Stood open once again; The names engraved on weathered stones Recalled what once had been.
XIV. Halfway through the amber month, Sunlight leaned away; Evening came before its time And lingered long to stay.
XV. A girl in boots of shining red Kicked leaves along the street; Each crackling heap became a stage Beneath her dancing feet.
XVI. The geese formed arrows in the sky And called above the pine; Their honking pulled listening hearts Toward seasons lost in time.
XVII. A storm invaded from the north, War drums on rooftops beat; The big trees bent, tried not to break, Old roots held strong and deep.
XVIII. The pumpkins on the porch were bright Farolitos in the night; Their carved and crooked smiles kept watch With candle-hearted light.
XIX. Red lights flashed and sirens wailed Paramedics soon arrive; They'll use their training, skills, and kit To keep good folks alive.
XX. An owl spoke once from cedar's shade, Then faded back to gloom; The stars shot threads of silver flame That warped the spiders' loom.
XXI. The scarecrow in the foggy field Wore dew upon his head; He kept his post through moonless hours And never went to bed.
XXII. Beneath the bridge, the river flowed With black and shining grace; It carried broken limbs to find Their final resting place.
XXIII. The hoar frost traced upon the glass Doilies white and fine; Tatting a pale funeral pall For August’s dying vine.
XXIV. The moon, a shining lantern shone Above the skeletal trees; Silvered fallow garden rows And calmed the restless breeze.
XXV. A soaking rain delayed the dawn, The morning moon set cold; They left behind some yellow leaves And red and brown and gold.
XXVI. The Hunter's moon so bright and round Aroused folks from their bed; Shined a spotlight ghostly white Where livestock once had fed.
XXVII. The graveyard grass was soaked with rain, Bells rang slow and low; Yet somehow 'neath that glistening shroud Life's roots found ways to grow.
© Michael E. Middleton 2026 ↑ Back to contents