Gray Ghosts of Autumn
George D. Stout
September whispers soft and low with gentle winds that ebb and flow
Among the maples, ash and oaks adorned with multi-colored cloaks
As oak trees drop their rusts and reds upon the fresh autumnal beds
Of littered past-life’s shards and shreds, the gray ghosts dance in archer’s heads
For as September wanes to fall, October speaks of northern squall
The cooling clouds and shortening days, bring morning fog and evening haze
This time of year the woods are still with morning frosts on leafless hill
The only sounds from shuffling paws that dig in leaves in search of haws
Or acorns, beech and hickory sheds to carry back to brown leaf beds
The archer loads his back barond of cedar shafts with feather frond
His longbow braced and drawn to bring a thumb to ear and cheek to string
His arrows cut to cloth-yard length to feel the surge of springing strength
From taut drawn limbs of elm and yew so deftly crafted to pursue
The fleeting tails and whiskered face that dodge and dart at frantic pace
For as the archer tops the hill he knows there is no greater thrill
Than pure fair chase in greenwood dale of cutting-teeth and bushy tail
The shadows darting to and fro from nature’s circus high wire show
Will stir the soul of all who dare pursue the gray ghosts near their lair
Of hickory hollows, hills and dales where ultimate adventure dwells
Oh can there be a fairer game to put an archer’s skill to shame
To dodge and duck and seem to laugh at lack of aim on our behalf
For as the shaft seems sure to bring as fingers join the cheek to string
A furry quarry to his low amidst the littered sticks below
Yet once again they fail to meet as oak bark talks of scurried feet
And still the archer dares to dream of laden oaks of field and stream
Of cool fall days in northern tier to sally forth with little fear
Of filling larder to the top with overflow of squirrelly crop
On still he goes with back barond of cedar shafts with feather frond
For him the great success you see, is not to get, but just to be
Amidst the oak and the hickory tree
