GILDED ANNOUNCEMENT

Goldenrod explode on the road sides
on a cool day 'neath the leaden sky
with black eyed Susans close as brides,
yellows exhaled by fall's first sigh.

Among the forests poplars turn,
gold sprinkled among somber green
like specks of butter in a churn
foretelling colors yet unseen.

Not yet time for the orange blaze
of hickory or maple trees
glowing through calm morning haze
or flickering in a gentle breeze.

Nor has come the scheduled red
of holly berries and oak leaves
(or camelias in the flower bed)
after the first frost and freeze.

This announcement we all heed
has been so long awaited.
These first colors which will lead
to this season greatly anticipated.