October

October winds clear the skies

Of sleep about the eyes,

Snoozing in the last heat

Of summer daze.

Awakened by her cold touch

On heated skin,

Alarmed and shaken,

She stretches out

Our dreams of summer.

October takes no hostages.

She is honest and direct.

She makes no effort

To lull us back to sleep.

Despite the long nights

And short days,

Or because of them,

We must remain alert.

Winter nears.