the bully winds of October play tag with leaves

the bully winds of October play tag with leaves
curled in colors of brandy wine and amber orange

nudging them from swaying boughs
where they’ve cradled since last spring

pushing them out

and down

falling into the faces of long shadows cast by an October sun

an ocean wave in the treetop
the sounds of surf
soft whispers
autumnal seascape

hurtling,

spiraling,

spinning

as remnant leaves linger

hangers-on waving frantically like school children

or long lost friends

who too soon called away

madly wave goodbye