Starting with the crowning leaves
it trickles down with slow intent
until all burn with crimson glow
a constant wave, hours, days old

Watch the tree be kissed by fire
red, yellows, lingering greens
ombre waves, a colour tide
how long until it all consumes?

Converts each leaf as colours flirt
and flit, and drip, and turn
not alone, it kisses all
each a different hue

Fire transformed to gold as
light skips from maple to aspen
from sugar to quaking
autumn overtaking

©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020