November For Beginners (No Rain)

The rain held off
for hours, long enough to smell  
its presence -- warm and burned;
summer sun afar now,
leaving crisp cobalt air
to chill our skin  
in early dusk of late day.
 
Our wood stack sits  
in anticipation of purpose --
to rise and leave its bed
with a crackle and pop.
Our hearts stiffen as
flower heads on rigid stalks.
We can't yet fathom Spring
in the sea of brown and gold --
its trimmings  
 
Trail our feet;
rustle a scratchy, unmetered
tune on a hollow, stringless instrument.
We tap harmoniously on its belly  
in fingers of windy demise.
 
    .....