By Autumn's Light

When I was younger
I read the stories,
Of kings and princes,
Heroes and dragons,
And felt the fall
In swirling leaves,
Hot apple cider,
Rain-dark days,
And orange pumpkins.

The sense of wonder
Can fade away
With childhood pleasures,
Slides and swings,
And gingerbread,
And rain-drenched streetlights
Shining still
When dreamers lie
Encased in sleep.

I never believed
In cheerful prosy,
Walls of glass
Or walls of duty
Or that the earth
Was all as flat
As they would say:
By autumn's light
Perhaps I'll find my way.