Summer's getting drowsy now;
Soon she will be dozing;
Flowers are folding up their heads,
Another season's closing.

Fall is waiting in the wings,
Impatient to get going,
He has a lot of work to do,
Before it's time for snowing.

"I have to paint the leaves," he says,
"In shades of red and gold,
And send the geese along their way
Before it gets too cold.

"I'll ripen pumpkins on the vine,
For sweet Thanksgiving pies,
And plump the apples on the trees
To make cider that satisfies.

"Sunshiny days will be shorter now;
I'll add a cool, crisp breeze;
For this relief from summer heat,
I make no apologies.

"I have just one more thing to do;
My work is almost done;
I'll turn the leaves to crunchy piles,
So kids can have fall fun!"

By Joanna Fuchs