The Colors of Fall

Skies of cobalt, azure, cerulean . . .
Ultramarine, aquamarine, sapphire true.
Marches of mountains, amethyst, damson
Disappearing in diaphanous blue.

Trees tapestried and tesellated . . .
Kaleidoscopic and stippled
Bronze, copper, nut-brown,
Golden, gilt, gilded,
Scarlet, cardinal, vermilion,
Carmine, crimson, magenta . . .

A color riot, a tumult, a rowdy rumpus,
A Saturnalia of tints and hues
Runs wild along the mountain ridges

Splashing peaks and slopes
With all the shades of fall.

Below, in the still hollow,

A lone sourwood glows coral
And pearly blue-gray mushrooms
Complement a poplar leaf.