Coniferous and deciduous leaves interspersed
Various shades of green and yellows mixed on nature’s palette
Enable the artist to paint lighter greens against the deep blue autumn sky.

The last of the bright red tomatoes hide amidst their now yellowing plants
Permitting the artist to add orange to the trees

The raspberry bushes are wilting and bending low to the ground,
As if in dying deference to the impending snows.
Yet a few stubborn crimson berries will blush against Winter’s first pure coat,
Allowing the brush to add rose to the scene.
The bright reds of maple and sumac leaves already turned before the green cedars
Affords a brushstroke of brown to mark the forest bush and fallen limbs.
And against the sky the maples blurr the horizon with an aura of magenta.

The mixing of primaries on the palette fulfills every artist’s need as he dabs beauty onto canvas, just as nature does the trees.

How I would love to have the talent to create such wondrous painted scenes of beauty.
But at least I take some small consolation by this poem’s creation,
As these words must be my paints and the phrases, my salvation.

09/26/2007

Posted on 09/26/2007
Copyright © 2026 Don Matley