Florida’s Fall

Just yesterday the geckos were
still hunting their night prey
under the illumination of the
porch light along the front
of the house. Before they can
shy away, I catch sight of them
flattened against the upper wall
high above the red, front door.

Just yesterday, I spied two toads
as I cleared away some weeds and
brush from plantings out front.

Just yesterday there were bees
buzzing around a small crop
of wildflowers that had bloomed
and formed an oasis of color
without any seeding from me.

Just yesterday a small mouse was
caught on the bird feeder;
determined, he stayed put as I
slowly approached. We eyeballed
each other until his nerves folded
and he scampered up and away
through the boughs of the ligustrum.

Just yesterday the roses were in full
blossom, red, pink, nearly white and
yellow stretching their thorny branches
against the wall and up the arbors that
help support their lanky, heavily
budded limbs.

Just yesterday, the bushy-tailed,
elusive fox was spotted fishing a frog
from the overflowed ditch that runs
behind all the houses. He paused long
enough that I could watch for a few short
minutes and then he vanished under cover
into the wooded, overgrown lot next door.

Just yesterday I came across the black
racer, moving quickly across my path,
eager to hide and disappear into the
wide hedge that lines the sidewalk.

Just yesterday the Mockingbird couple
chattered back and forth until one took
up its singing and the other chimed in
with quick chirps of admiration.

Just yesterday the humidity was at almost
saturation point, it might as well have been
rain that dampened my skin and frizzed my
hair. The afternoon thunderstorm cooled
the temperature but only added to the
heaviness of the air, the only relief–indoors.

But today the humidity has dropped and there’s
a slight chill during the early morning hours.
The sunlight has dimmed slightly and its heat
isn’t as fierce as it has been for several months.
There’s an almost imperceptible change afoot
perhaps only noticed by those who have
lived in these parts for decades…yes, fall has
arrived, I’m sure of it.

Join me at dVerse Poets Pub for Open Link Night.  Choose any one poem that you would like to share.

Posted by Bodhirose on October 20, 2016

https://bodhirose.wordpress.com/2016/10/20/floridas-fall/