We’re seeing some red leaves here in southern Maine. The fall foliage will peak
the first week of October. There are so many good poems about fall, many with an elegiac tone.
Here is one by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926).
AUTUMN
The leaves fall, fall as from far,
Like distant gardens withered in the heavens;
They fall with slow and lingering descent.
Andin the nights the heavy Earth, too, falls
From out the stars into the Solitude.
Thus all doth fall. This hand of mine must fall
And lo! the other one: it is the law.
But there is One who holds this falling
Infinitely softly in His hands.
freshmoonpie 