Thankful Thursday - Wild Flowers/Fall Color

Today, among lots of other things, I'm thankful for the beautiful colors of fall. The goldenrod wildflowers are out in force. So are the sulphur butterflies and bees. 

According to my iPhone, this pretty flower is Crownvetch ...

... and this is Tall Bonneset.

Even the milkweed pods are changing color.

In the cooler month of September,  

goldenrods rise like spikes of yellow,

piercing the meadow's hush.  

Not the sun's fiery blaze,

but softer autumn flames,  

drawing butterflies and bees—

legs dusted in pollen.  

I kneel, breath caught in the tangle,  

fingers brushing stems that sway  

unbothered by the coming frost.  

Here, the world tilts toward gold,  

a fleeting crown for summer's end.

I whisper: bloom fierce, fade to seed, 

and don't forget to return next year.

     ~Betty J. Crow

Linking to Thankful Thursday