September
By Mildred Alpern

Autumn starts in late September
When day and night equate in time
The equinox arrives to herald
The end of summer’s balmy clime

The early morning’s sudden chill
Frosts the asters on the hill
Like sapphire blue clear in tone
Matching the zodiac’s birthstone

It’s harvest pick for apple trees
Varieties all bound to please
The cook and baker and those who munch
Savor the bright red apple crunch

September leaves with a fluttering goodbye
From the migratory Monarch butterfly

Mildred Alpern was WSR’s poet-and-photographer-in-residence for many years. She conceived of the Calendar Project, a poem and photographs to begin each month, in January, 2023. She died unexpectedly in April at the age of 91, but left behind the remainder of the year for us to enjoy. Thanks to Spenser Alpern, her son, for finding these treasures.

To read and see more of Mildred Alpern’s contributions to the Rag, click here.

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