Shady September Poem by Barry Middleton

the sky is neither blue nor gray
but something autumn in between
I close my eyes and smell the hay
September fields so far away
some men may love a springtime mood
but I do love the air of fall
my favorite season attitude
or thus the autumn leaves conclude
familiar thatch of briar patch
black berries ripe and shinning rich
have lured me from my purposed track
I only pause then double back
honeysuckle is the gate
that I must push aside to pass
into the glen where dreams await
and whispers of my secret fate
today I seek a simpler vine
I need a bucket full and more
of fallen pungent muscadines
for winter jelly so sublime
but there is yet more fun to come
aromas sweet as candy cooking
and when the winter has begun
the jelly holds the summer sun
now if you have not found this grace
I'll tell you where to look and find
let's call it Shady Valley place
a tear within a soft embrace