Sliding into Fall in the Garden

Fall comes sliding into the garden

 in purple hues among the green.

 

In the surprise of a clematis 

that has never rebloomed in the autumn days.

With the grass bent over from the weight

 of waving with each wash of breeze.

 

Begonias stretch happily with no eye to the calendar, 

but wonder at the glimpse of the orange and yellow popping up.

The Rugosa rose smiles with petals soaking up 

the warmth that still glistens the dew.

Potted plants wait till they come back

 inside to ride out the winter days.

Bold pink mandevilla fades to soft blush 

as it climbs the pole stretching toward sky.

A mid-summer toss of cockscomb seed sprouted

 and is becoming the legacy right now.

My niece sent the seeds gathered from the cockscomb

 plants that my dad grew along the driveway,

Years and years now, they have been nurtured

 and seed harvested to pass along that very same

stand of swirled burgundy. 

I thought I had lost this potted verbena this summer.

Just too hot and cut it back.

This week was this "not done yet" blossom.

The lantana staple of my summer garden- 

is rocking September.

The petals that a grandson 

thinks I stay up late at night to paint.

So we talked about God's amazing 

color palette and imagination.

Fall comes bringing a respite from outdoor labor, 

but mingles in the dance of late summer goodness.

The days of golden light and crossover are here.