September In My Hometown

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The maple leaves are not yet ripe 

In my hometown 

Where they grow in stately rows

Down the main road 

In my hometown 

Summer is yet burning 

The pavement bubbles and cracks 

And the green is gone from the world 

In my hometown 

There are pumpkins in burnished bins 

In the grocery store down by the highway 

Though not one green gourd is yet born 

On the flowering vines 

In my hometown 

On Saturday or yesterday 

There was a fall festival at First Lutheran 

While children still played in the park 

And bugs collected in the city pool 

Summer yet burns 

In my hometown 

Sweaters and jackets hang from gleaming racks 

Aching with such desire 

In every shopping place

Behind glass which reflects cruel September sun

For every wish and dream of autumn 

Another sultry dawn laughs in mockery 

In my hometown 

I dream of fall is on every tongue 

I want for pumpkins glowing in the night 

And autumnal colors proud and bright 

But I cling to the long burning days 

And undarkened nights 

For I fear the drear of gray and rain 

And despise the winter nights 

In my hometown 

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