October Rhapsody

The whole of September was
One delicious prologue
Before that special day came.
Waking up, I felt renewed.

My birthday always fell
In the traditional harvest holiday:
A whole week to enjoy it.
Red and brown and gold, all falling
As the summer green decayed.

I loved the piled leaves on pavements,
Kicking them, watching them come to rest.
In the colder, crisper air
The melancholy of it all thrilled me.

The smoky tang of early bonfires
Was incense to my soul.
Sun was still bright, shining through
Thinning trees, rustling in their ruined russet,
Cascading their chestnut fruit in blessing.