by Kelly Keene

Crunch. Whisp. Flutter.
They are fairies at my feet.
A gentle breeze shakes them to dance.
A powerful gust makes them fly.

Rainbows of yellow, orange,
and gold frost the sidewalks
in a confectioner’s sugar display.

They move the jogger to
patter in shorter, quicker steps.
Munch. Crunch. Scrunch.
They compel small children
to crouch down and press sweaty fingertips
into dry, crackling foliage.
Older siblings say, ” tada! “
as they lift leaves back into the sky,
so they may float to the Earth, magically,
once more.

They are the backdrop of lone
wanderers – buds pressed into their ears,
in an attempt to withdraw, escape.
The vibrant ground glows – forcing
them out of their melancholy, and
back into the beauty of the natural
gift of nature.

“Come join us!” They say.
“The sidewalk is cool, and calm.
Lay with us, and rest.”