Apples burn like lanterns
a ladder leans on sky;
we pocket little planets
and taste the why of why
A father’s hand is steady
a daughter tests her wings;
gravity becomes a teacher
who loves the songs she sings
We bruise the day with sweetness
we rinse our mouths in air;
the sun forgives our clumsy
and stains our fingers fair
By dusk the crates are constellations
stacked neatly into grace—
we drive home full of patience
with autumn in our case