The Fall Garden

One last year of good use
from my old garden hat
shared this summer
with friend scarecrow.

With its back to the flowers
and onions,
standing guard over
grass and weeds
where once was corn,
the scarecrow stands vigil still.

Strange year for corn.
The first seed never came up.
The second lot grew and produced...
short stalks, little ears,
but still tasty fresh.

Short scarecrow, short corn.
Short summer, it seems now.

This afternoon fall breezes
blow through the garden,
speaking softly to the trees
and shrubs,
whispering for change
and for rest.