AS SUMMER FADES

An acorn hits my metal roof
rolls to the eave, drops to the ground.
These loud impacts reveal the truth
that autumn soon will be around
as summer slowly loses sway.

And deer antlers have lost velvet
allowing them to thrash small trees
although the rut is not here yet.
Fall is heartless in its tease
as shadows lengthen day by day.

Golden rod and ragweed bloom
adding their scent and allergies.
They also foretell summer's doom
with each cough and sudden sneeze.
Migrating flocks will soon come this way.

I recall over three score years
of summers giving way to fall.
Some memories come with silent tears
for those who've answered their last call.
Though they are gone their memories stay.