These summer days are shrinking
The gold that follows green
Will wither in the waning light
As darkness lays its scene
Fall shadows stretching taller
Sun sinking in our view
As evening steals late afternoon
Night drinks the morning dew
Burnt orange hues of evening
Announce the coming night
Til strong winds sweep the starry skies
With chilling gusts that bite
The storms of fall are brewing
In dark clouds poised to pounce
And sacrifice the aging leaves
Then wash away their counts
The season soon upon us
When signs of life retreat
Picked clean of leaves that kept us safe
The branches of defeat
This fall is like no other
They’ll test us to our roots
By blurring lines of right and wrong
And soiling our boots
Don’t assume good always wins
Sometimes it takes a fight
To keep our freedom and protect
A world where just is right
Now courage forged compassion
Must answer calls of need
Defenders of democracy
Who aren’t afraid to bleed
-Rondym Kiefe