November

November,
dark and cool,
the milk flower trees in bloom
later than usual,
their scent falling
on passersby below

Warmer clothing from the wardrobe
for the cooler scene

An evening fire
now and then,
calm and quiet

Some nights before going to bed someone would ring
one or more of the bells on her porch,
and then all of her neighbors would join in
one by one
and play their bells and gongs
for a while

♫ ♫ ♫

And afterwards quiet would reign
until dawn