Willamette, a Poem About Fall Colors

tones,
along the river
like music
changing tempo
and temperature
cool
greens and shadows
hidden from the warm sun
slow
a note here
a note there
warm leaves
yellow
catching heat
like a rhythm
and turning color
red leaves
lining the shore
contrasts with rocks
and sky
to form a sort of flag
an outdoor creed
a fluttering leaf
a tune
the flag waves
the leaves shuffling the breeze
make sure of that

- rlb10-31-2013