The Deep Brown Leaves of Autumn

I have always loved 
the bright and glorious 
colors and aromas
of our Kentucky autumns.

I love them, still.

But I've grown to appreciate all the

imperfect and worn browns
and leather
and mahogany leaves,
all the dried fallow
and empty acorn

that fill the woods and fields

without all the fanfare of

the beautiful reds and golds

that Autumn brings.

The well-worn lines and veins
of old leaves

tempered and burned in 

shades of bronze

have a depth and weight

that is tangible and abiding.

The deep brown leaves of Autumn

sear the memories of the year

and linger with a crisp sobriety

long after the golden

and ruby leaves have fallen and faded.