Autumnal Advice (A Poem)

By Joyce Jacobo

[Author’s Note: Happy First Day of Autumn!!!]

Numerous stresses threatened to crash down on me

     one afternoon this past week

                  …of concerns for family and friends

                          troubles in the world at large

                             and plans that seemed

                                             just beyond

                                                 my reach

I tugged on a mask and fled outside to walk around

    and happened to meet

       one of the helpers for Autumn at work—

            a miniature coyote with a bushy tail larger than herself

               while she painted the countryside leaves

                    in rich                  reddish and coopery hues

                                                      with golden variations           

“Did you believe Her Lady Autumn came all at once?”

     the coyote laughed like leaves rustled by a cool breeze

         “The key to her magic is preparation and assistance

                gradual steps taken to make way

                       for when she can at last

                           step foot into the world—

                                   a period she endures every year

                                           to make

                                                 her grand entrance.”

With this wisdom said                 the coyote held out a brush

     “Would you like to help me paint for a while?”

By the time                    that dusk fell

     I had managed to tinge a few leaves and blades of grass

                        in shades of Autumn

                (which was much harder than it looked)

              and bid farewell to the small coyote

                          before I returned home and

                                 with fresh purpose

                                       began to make

                                            my own preparations

                                                  for the future…