Revised Version of "Autumn Brown Leaves"

I’ve always loved how pretty you are.

The way your leaves change color,

falling gracefully from trees—

their crisp "whoosh" as I scoot my feet

through piles, chasing the perfect crunch.

Your symphony of sound and color calms me.

I adore streets lined with trees,

their leaves scattered on pavement,

an invitation to step softly,

to make each crunch louder than the last.

But then, the rakes come.

Dad, and the old folks in town,

sweeping you away into piles.

They’d leave them for days—weeks, maybe—

until the bags carried you off as “nature trash.”

When you disappear, so does your magic.

Bare trees, no crunch beneath my feet,

shorter days, dimmer skies.

You fade, and winter creeps in—

cold, dull, and lonely.

Yet, dear Autumn,

I’ll always cherish you.

Sincerely, one of your biggest fans.