Fall Fever

loose leaf papers that fall out of folders
and loose leaves that fall out of oaks and maples
and staples has what you need for the season
and soon will you know what the reason for the season is
when the reason was the sun
we confused it with the son
but no apology is necessary we didn't know
I didn't know
until you ruined my Christmas with a talk about pagans
and call me a pagan but I like my damn tree
and that's much too far away to think about in august
but oh goodness it's september and that makes quite a difference
and you made quite a difference when you were still here anyway
and tomato orzo soup makes a difference on a cold day
and a smile makes a difference sometimes on a bad day
but right now it's loose leaf and loose leaves and folders and maples
and procrastination and anxiously waiting for something that won't happen
you would rather not know what and time begins tumbling in autumn
didn't I tell you?
yes, yes, it tumbles and rolls into heaps and piles
and before long red and yellows are white white white
and before long we will chat about pagans and hot chocolate
but right now I'm looking for a pile of red and yellow