Memories of Fall

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Fall memories of my childhood fell
tripped over the last hours of summer
and scattered across my mind
like leaves
from the cottonwood tree
that stood in my grandparents’ front yard.

Grandpa sat at the kitchen table
rolling his own cigarette
between sips
of strong dark Cowboy coffee.

Grandma stood at the gas range
stirring the kettle of rhubarb
she planned to can
so we could have rhubarb pie
on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Random memories
scattered across my mind
like the cottonwood’s yellow leaves
after the season’s first freeze.