Martina Reisz Newberry

Crime Scene

Fall throttles me. It starts an argument, 
escalates it by destroying the day
light, then turns to violence. Fall pushes, then 
slaps, then punches. As a young woman, I 
fought back, gave as good as I got, held my 
ground. But, it’s easy to see that it is 
fall that has the staying power. I can 
try to seduce spring and summer all year. 
I wear “come-hither” clothes and stage makeup. 
I try to force back the early dark with 
prayers and perfumes. No hace ninguna 
diferencia. I’m beginning to 
worry that seduction only works for 
the young—but no. The Mexican Fan Palms, 
the lacy-topped Canary Island Date 
Palms and the Star Jasmine hedge whisper this:
“Just you wait. You’ll see...come to us in May.” 
An unending promise...renewable...worthwhile.