View from the Axis

Beech leaves crumble like tea 
into my palm. Thin brown stripes 
ring wooly bears, forecasting 
a harsh winter. Shadows shorten
with the sun setting further south.  
I feel the shudder of dew drops 
rippling on blades of grass. 
Dusk buttons its coat. I walk 
until I’m out of light, then 
with halting steps work my way 
back across the field. Orion 
unsheathes his sword. Stumbling, 
Earth catches me before I begin to fall.