November

Long wind and rain scour the cold trees of all leaves

but those most stubborn.

Extravagant mysteries of summer,

once enfolding, hiding with layer upon layer

(green without end!),

have fallen away.

Nests emerge, cling tenuously to what remains.

Severe mysteries of November, most subtle,

now excise with clarity, disclosure of form.

Luxuriance passes. Necessity presses.

Gray trees, semblance of rigor, spare no indulgence

but trouble to scrutinize.