eastern standard

setting the clock

back one hour—

a glance at the mirror

further

further into fall

leaves scattered

in the hallway

high buildings

cityscape

towers of cloud

in the autumn rain

stopped

stopped for a light

on an empty road

autumn nightfall

path

0vergrown path

leaves drifting to the earth

they will become

Columbus Day

Columbus Day

getting lost on the way

to the mall

lincoln center

1

young voices laugh

across the plaza

crisp brown leaves

2

stiff wind

across the plaza

two girls dance

3

long shadows

point toward the Hudson

checking my watch

jewels

she loves the ring

his surreptitious glance

at the price tag

afternoon

leaves drifting

across the afternoon

the color of earth