Early Winter
Windblown leaves dance wildly before a red sky
and cling frantically to swaying branches as they pay homage
to the setting sun, whose dwindling light
descends in a chiroscuro down tree pillars
into dark earth,
who now wears her robe of light-time
stolen from days chores and pleasures,
receives, shines glows,
and with muted sparks
waits.
Carol Toba 2023