Autumnal Solstice

The sun crossed the equator.

The Earth tilted.

The bubble in the level slid south.

Did you feel it?

The sun feels warm,

but hot days are just a threat,

brittle and rattling

like the dry leaves underfoot.

The night air smells of petunias

and marigolds.

I look up at a million tiny snowflakes

waiting to come down.

This is the best time,

the cool evening of the year.