autumns coronation has begun
as maple, walnut and oak
are crowned in gold, rubies and copper;
their patchwork cloaks are
donning slowly, the richness
of summer emerald greens
surrender to the alchemy of autumn,
exploding into vermilion, umber and citrine
completing their transformation
before they fade, fall and form
into botanical skeletons
before the freeze of winter
paints its dismal landscape
