Fall Call
DEREK R. SMITH
Autumn welcomes us,
These summer trees
De-chlorophylling
And donning layers,
Most of all a knitted cap
Of carotenoids
And a sturdy canvas
Zip-up jacket lined
With anthocyanins.
Fall, with its amber slowness,
Rich, dark early evenings,
Mouldering leaf piles.
Insidey activities call:
The books I’ve collected all year,
The unsolvable jigsaw puzzle,
Retiring to bedding comforter.
This slumbery season
Beckons restoration
Metronoming meditation
To the rhythm of the
Falling leaves.
Derek R. Smith (he/him) is a public health professional, Anishinaabe two-spirit, wanderer, who finds it hard to not write poetry. He was born and raised in the Mitten, spent his youth learning from amazing elder Yoopers, graduated a Wolverine, and set out for the west coast where he delights in observing people’s reactions to his midwestern delicacies. He has recent publications in Great Lakes Review, San Pedro River Review, ¡Pa’lante!, euphony, Hearth & Coffin, Inlandia, Willawaw, Lucky Jefferson and others. He can be found on Instagram at @nerudaphile.
Find this piece on page 34 of ISSUE NO. 2.