Under the light of a lemon drop moon
the field lay quiet in autumn sleep,
in slumber that was cold, soundless, and deep
like winter sleep coming all too soon.
But October's sun still hints of July,
beneath its rising warmth the frost retreats,
the bee awakes to search about for sweets,
the dappled spider weaves to catch the fly.
When children arrive at the field to look
at the pumpkins scattered about the ground,
they'll first try to find one perfectly round,
then depart happy with the ones they took,
knowing that jack o' lanterns will be seen
glowing in their windows on Halloween.
David James Madden