Carolan's Poem about Autumn in Northeast Ohio

The other day I found an old poem Carolan wrote (some 9 years ago, when she was a Freshman at Ohio University) about autumn in Northeast Ohio. Our area, especially parts of Lake, Geuaga, and Cuyahoga Counties, have unsurpassed color in mid to lake October. I can't imagine that New England is even more beautiful. It's because of our climate, our soils, and the mix of trees (sugar maple, red maple, tulip poplar, tupelo, sassafras, etc.). Anyway, here is Carolan's beautiful poem:

in northeast ohio

                        the buckle of the snowbelt

                        does not rust slowly into

                        the freeze and gloom and white permanent winter.

                        it Explodes.

                        crimson orange flames bursting from the branches

                        fireworks, a sunset, a campfire

                        the glory and celebration and excitement

                        sustain the hidden embers of Warmth

                                                                                of Color

                                                            of Life.

                        when the snow doesn’t stop falling

                                                and the sun forgets to visit

                        we will grasp tightly to the fire of fall

                        and the eternal glow will keep us strong.

Carolan Coughlin

October 27, 2003