A Chelmsford Autumn

(Photos by Jeanne Malouin)

I don't mean to brag about it, but it would be hard

To find better Autumn colors than what's in my yard

Here in Massachusetts, in my quaint New England town.

Hopefully, the rain and wind won't blow all these leaves down.

Pines have shed their needles while the oaks are - mostly - green,

Adding depth and contrast to the view through my porch screen.

Red and orange sugar maples, almost at their peak...

Layers of colors that I'll be enjoying for a week.

Since October's been so warm the colors came on late.

We're about two weeks behind what's normal for the state.

Not that I'm complaining, mind you... Any time at all

Is the perfect time to see this glorious a Fall.

Autumn Days

There is nothing prettier, to me, than Autumn days

When the sun, from deep blue skies, has set the trees ablaze.

Leaves of scarlet, golden yellows, oranges like flame

Licking at the green of summer it will quickly claim.

In a week these sparks of color will consume the trees

'til the leaves give up and waft away upon a breeze.

Perfect days in Autumn, may seem few and far between

But they are the most amazing thing you've ever seen.

I Miss Trick-or-Treaters

No one in our neighborhood comes here to Trick-or-Treat.

There are just 3 houses down our long and private street;

There are some coyotes and no streetlights where we live.

We aren't worth the walk, despite the full-sized bars we give.

I remember Hallowe'ens when we would take the boys;

Autumn winds would rustle leaves and make a spooky noise.

Flashlights weren't a lot of help 'cause there's a lot of woods

On the way back home from other people's neighborhoods.

Thus, I cannot blame the costumed children who decide

There's too many places for a ghost or 2 to hide.

If I didn't live here, I would take one look then leave...

Maximize my chances somewhere else All Hallows Eve.

Patriots 43 - Bengals 17; Any Questions?

Last night in New England, 'neath a perfect Autumn moon,

Rumors of the Patriots' demise appeared too soon.

Era isn't over yet...  In Belichick we trust;

Confident the Hall of Fame will, one day, house his bust.

Patriots were pilloried in media and blogs,

Coming in to Sunday's game at home as 1 point dogs.

After this past week they've had of listening to crap

The New England Patriots were just about to snap.

You could not have paid me to be in the Bengals' shoes;

There was not a chance in hell the Patriots would lose.

Any stupid questions now about Garoppolo?

Just don't ask Bill Belichick...  He's on to Buffalo.

Golf Blues

  

  

 

 We're not playing golf as much this year...  I'm not sure why.

Something always intervenes, it seems, each time we try.

When we both were members at our local country club

We'd play once or twice a week, at least, but here's the rub;

We're both feeling old and creaky - husband hurt his back.

Back-swing causes pain which makes the golf ball hard to smack.

Weather's not cooperating; summer got here late.

Once it did, the weekend forecasts haven't been that great...

Much too hot and humid to make playing any fun.

I would suffer heatstroke on the course out in this sun.

I'm a fan of Autumn golf, when days are clear and cool.

Summer's when I'd rather be out lounging by the pool.

Procrastinators Unite... Tomorrow!

Photo/Wei Fang

Foliage is past its peak and trees are shedding leaves;

Landing on the dying grass, collecting on the eaves,

Drifting on the driveway, and they're covering the deck.

Once I thought them pretty...  Now? A big pain in the neck.

Oak trees haven't shed their leaves, although they're turning brown.

Not until Thanksgiving will the last one flutter down.

This year I've decided I will give myself a break;

I will wait 'til that one falls before I start to rake.

Apple Picking

Going to the apple orchard; hope to pick some Macs.

Fresh picked apples in the Autumn? They're my favorite snacks.

Tart and crisp and red and green and ripened on the tree;

And, at Parlee Farms, they let you eat a Mac for free.

I know they have other kinds of apples at the farm - 

Honeycrisps and Cortlands - those have got a certain charm.

(Do not like Delicious apples; I don't think they are.)

Since the town of Tyngsboro's a short ride in my car...

And I have a craving and it's such a lovely day

Dr. Seussilitis symptoms won't stand in my way.

I will skip the petting zoo; I'll skip the hay-bale maze

But, their tractor ride is nice on warm September days.