September leaned into fall
clinging to the remnants
of summer's warmth
remembering the distant blooms of spring's color collage.

September resisted fall's
persistent march toward winter
a deceiving warm invitation to
a cold death
costumed in ice and snow.

September announced change
to earth's seasons
its harvest rains preparing life's fruit
of blood, sweat, and tears for picking.

September called to us
and its night sky planets aligned
the moon rose and moved
east to west
while mars traveled
its easterly course.

September offered up memories
of seasons past and lost
as it rained
surrendered its future
by marking the end
by its rain.

September declared change in
its winds and skies
and it rained
to wash the land
and like tears
cleanse the soul
and like rain
wash away the dust
of a hot, dry season.

September tears rained
upon us as we celebrated
the ripened fruit
of our lives and bodies
and hungrily consumed
the fresh produce
of what we lovingly tendered.

Like harvest rains
mixed with dirt and sweat
September tears came
bitter and salty at first
leaving a thirst for something more
the reward of a good harvest and
a long Indian Summer before
winter's first chill.