THE FIRST DAY OF FALL

She loves the smell of wood smoke,
On the first day of fall.
She felt the change when she woke,
The cold creeping down the hall.

She lies in their bed under the quilt,
Watching reflections on the wall.
In the fireplace her husband had built
Their first fire of fall.

The cat came in to watch the flames,
Her husband began to call.
The world woke up to watch the ruins,
On the first day of fall.