Autumntime

Autumn’s when the Earth’s all dappled
and bare trees look like rutting stags.
Autumn tastes of toffee apples
and sounds like rustling paper bags.

Autumn’s when leaves leap and turn
like dancers in a leaf ballet
and people light up bright lanterns
to keep the phantoms far away.

Autumn’s a time for hats and scarves
and boots for leaping into puddles;
when children run through leaves and laugh
and mothers keep them warm with cuddles.