~inspired by George Mason’s “The Harvest Moon,” 1877

Harvest moon glares, jagged from clouds grinding
their glazed edges against her.

Harvest moon bleeds in colors of oak & maple,
her face round as a hazel leaf.

Landscape burns in a blur of garnet & tangerine
peppered with people & dogs
& scythes.

Landscape drowns in bellowing & howling
& the hiss of metal crescents
against grains.

Frayed cats slink over blades & between
the pauses in lusty laughter.

Frayed cats patrol this field of autumn’s
benediction—fleshy broth

of limb & spine & belly.

– t.m. thomson