Lush autumn roadsides
verdant vines and straggling weeds
stretch greedily toward the sun.

Seeking ants
scurry crumbs to the hoard
harvesters store root and grain against the cold.

Hurry, hurry to and fro;
accumulate, be ready for lack
grasp while you can.

Hunger drives
bearing onward open mouths gulping,
hands reaching, seeking more.

Travel the autumn roads slowly
beauty fills the eye
satisfying need and hunger for a while.

.

Photo and poem copyright 2013 Tasha Halpert