fortitude

She waits for autumn
when the sky darkens earlier
and the leaves ripen
to shades of red and hues of gold.
She waits for yards to be set
on hot pink fire
and for driveways to be cloaked in blood orange.
For nights with breezes that cut
deep.
For a chill that is the reason
wool coats exist-
and goulashes
and turtlenecks
and mittens.
Because autumn leads to winter
and winter means snow
white
cold
covering
thick
snow
that makes even the darkest night
brighter.