SEASON OF SOUND
by Gwen Austin
Copyright Sept. 1999

In suspense of winter-waiting,
sounds are not abating,
for sounds abound in fall.

More 'cawish' seems crow's call,
as I listen in vain for robin's refrain.

Squirrel-nipped cones clatter
from bough to branch
to roof and ground.

Chickadees and nuthatches lend
their 'dee-dee-dee' and 'ank-ank-ank'
to fall's musical strain.

An iridescent  dragonfly hums by
as yellowjackets buzz to food and shelter.

A rogue breeze
sparks a sneeze 
at dander and dust.

A thirsty red-cheeked flicker's
'chee-chee-chee'
preceeds its birdbath sip.

Coyotes 'kie-yie' 
at  harvest-moon-lit sky.
An owl calls 'Who?' not 'Why?'

Too-soon-gone leaves whisper, chitter,
drift whimsically to ground,
triggering more sound
as against still-clinging companions
they bump and bound
on their journey to duff.

Far-off faint, then overhead,
veed geese honk-
a most symbolic sound of all--
the outbound sound of fall.