This Fallen World

Haiku of dubious quality by Jonathan E. Magen

Fall 2021

Crisp descent

As if from heaven

Autumnal leaves

A naked branch

Among its brethren

In the chill

As crickets quiet

With the rising

Of fall's late sun

On bare branches

The birds remember

Cherry blossoms

Squirrels dart

Among brown leaves

This fallen world

Growing darker

As trees shed clothing

Each step rustles

Among the children

None are strangers

At the park

How cold the breeze

Of fall's growing song

Through tree and bush

I can see my breath

As my nose gets

Cold and runny

Spinning downward

Red and amber

At my feet

As branches turn

And change their shade

The tea cools

Fall's whistling breeze

Squirrels and birds

Listen closely

How cold the breeze

Of fall's growing song

Through tree and bush

The sycamore carpet

With earth tones from

Pine, oak, maple

This wobbly decent

Into the cold

Of summer's memory

The sparrow in fall

Fluffs up her down

Against the chill

Down from branches

All the while

Fluttering

Frost from grey skies

Gathers on the green

Already melting

Doing chores

The sudden cold

Stings my nose

Emerging on eight legs

To spin silver

From under the sepia carpet