Autumn in Michigan

By Linda Leedy Schneider

PROMPT — If only ...

My woods are a kaleidoscope

of colors. Maple, birch and dogwood

are changing their green work clothes,

revealing their authentic colors.

I carry water to plants

in pots on my porch.

The pink impatiens are lanky,

flowering less and fading.

Baby's breath is yellowing, dying back,

but Ivy still thrives. Her long, leggy

vines search for sun. I find scissors,

cut heart-shaped leaves,

bring them inside, try

to save summer in white ceramic vases,

picture roots, promise to be faithful,

to bring water weekly.

I want this Ivy to flourish.

I want to outsmart fall.

I want winter to wait.

I want to live forever.

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Linda Leedy Schneider, a psychotherapist in private practice and a poetry mentor, was awarded The Contemporary American Poetry Prize by Chicago Poetry. She has written six collections of poetry including Through My Window: Poetry of a Psychotherapist and edited two poetry anthologies, Poems From 84th Street and Mentor's Bouquet. She leads workshops for the International Women's Writing Guild and founded The Manhattan Writing Workshop. Linda writes from Grand Rapids, Michigan.