Frank J. Montoya

THE DARKENING DAYS

Fall is rapidly approaching and short the days do grow.
The fields are bare and turning brown, the streams are running low.
But it’s still a time of year when there’s much beauty to behold,
In those fleeting days of Autumn before the ice, the snow, the cold.

The harvests they are over and the hay is up in bales.
The farmers’ stands are hawking their end-of-season sales.
Green peppers that are roasting release aromas with a zing.
It’s the time of year for “putting up”, for canning everything.

In all the stores and markets you’ll find pumpkins by the score,
And soon witches, ghosts and goblins will be knocking at your door.
Singing “Trick or treat”, and smiling, with impish eyes so bright,
Then with bags chock full of goodies, fade away into the night.

Old Jack Frost is surely coming; he’ll be here, Oh, much too soon.
Before long we’ll see his works of art beneath a pale blue moon.
The air is cool and so refreshing: coats and boots will soon appear.
And the snow atop the mountain peak says that Fall is really here.

Both joy and sorrow greet you on a Sunday mountain drive.
Where the leaves are changing daily to a brilliant color live
With shades of bronze and yellow, hues of orange, red and gold.
As they show us their reluctance to face the coming bitter cold.

And the wildlife in search of food forsakes the highest peaks
Unknowing of the danger that they’ll risk in coming weeks.
They face a most uncertain future at every break of day,
As the hunters keep on searching to find their daily prey.

Call it Fall, or call it Autumn, these are the darkening days
That herald the advent of Winter, that cold and stormy phase.
But think of what’s soon coming, it will surely warm your heart:
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas are but a few short weeks apart.