"Southern California"
I sway in the breeze along a lonely stretch of sidewalk.
My branches are broad and full of fall leaves-
Yellow. Green. Red. Orange.
I am happy where I am planted.
It's a quiet neighborhood with passing cars-
No freeway. Few sirens. Hardly any honking.
The people that pass me have dogs and backpacks.
They're returning from school or work-
How I might envy them if I didn't look so regal.
I look like a monarch.
My wealth is vibrantly displayed on my branches-
A kaleidescope of color draping down like a grand robe.
It's a cool day in autumn and I hear students passing by me.
They look up in awe of my beauty-
And gather some of the foliage that I was kind enough to share.
One couple pauses and their conversation drifts up to my ears.
Something about their wonderful New Year's Party last week-
Wait! January? Why that's impossible! It must be autumn!
The weather. It seemed so perfect- Always so warm-
With this realization, I feel myself involuntarily explode-
My fortune- my fall colors floating down-
To that lonely stretch of sidewalk.
Yellow. Green. Red. Orange.
And I am now a pauper.
A/N: inspired by Ted Hughes use of persona in "Hawk Roosting"
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