Invitation

Come to the festival.

The jewels of the earth are yours

equal riches possessed by all , belonging to none

deep amethyst cabbages round and crisp

ruby apples hang low on trees

garnet cherries weigh laden branches down

topaz pears freckle in the sun

amber pumpkins lay in new hayed fields

iridescent oyster shells bounce in time with tides

trees (our first fireworks) blaze bright in the sapphire sky

only emerald pine and her sister spruce refrain

(dignity holding them aloof

from the gaudy show)

this is our mantle our coat of many colors

our gift from the Earth

blazing bright to burn into memory

when winter's cold ivory has stripped the trees bare

and the shine of silver hangs icy from her empty hands

a sigh of golden autumn remains:

a few brave leaves that refuse to fall

and wait for infant green

to bud again in spring