Sunny days and cool night air,
               Silvery webs floating everywhere;
               Marigolds with brilliant faces,
               Morning dew and scattered traces
               Of Jack Frost's touch on window glasses,
               As through the wee morn hours he passes.

               Geese in gaggles, veed in flight,
               Pass overhead and out of sight;
               Acorns plunking to the ground,
               A squirrel's harvest as they're found
               And buried, saved for wintry munching
               When all around the snow is crunching.

               Marshmallow puffs and stick hot dogs
               Over orange flames of campfire logs;
               Big carved pumpkins with eyes alight
               And eerie grins on a moonless night,
               While some are painted, any size,
               With feathered bands and corn-husk ties.

               Russet leaves with turned up edges;
               Indian corn on mailbox ledges;
               God's paintbrush strokes of Autumn colors
               Entices senses like no other
               Season can, though Spring might place
               As second-best in Beauty's race.

                             - Louise Todd
                              Office of the Comptroller