Driving home
In the pouring rain
From coastal flatlands
Trees just now
Turning color.

Maples glowing
An unexpected splash of color
In the dark redwoods.
Here the river shows little sign
Of swelling, while up river
It is full and muddy,
Tumbling down, soon to swell
The reaches below.

Onward we go
Up mountain
The temperature falls,
Leaves mostly already gone
Into the forest, onto
The rain slicked mirror
Of the highway.

And, in the storm, animals
Are on the move.
Here, a forked horn buck,
There, a pair of does,
And just before I turn, a flock
Of wild turkeys to welcome
Me home.

Dottie Simmons