Autumnal Equinox

The equinox seen in autumn took place approximately ten days ago. This poem written almost six years ago could have been penned today. It describes our situation in Minnesota almost perfectly.

Autumnal Equinox

Later sunrises and earlier sunsets

march toward one another like troops

in pincer formation

battling the muggy days that lay siege

to a usually brisk September.

Juxtaposed against public pools

padlocked and settled for hibernation,

skateboarders in shorts fly by.

Youth relishing a reprieve from jackets,

unconcerned with why. The familiar chill

of fall, lacking.

To the north

cool Canadian air hesitates to cross

the border, perturbed by political posturing.

And for the foreseeable future

                                       more night than day.

Marilyn Aschoff Mellor