Flycatcher

Why Melancholy Beauty Is Best

In ancient China all you had to do
    was say chrysanthemum
        and everybody sighed,
            got melancholy.

Now here they are,
    three pots of them
        on the porch: yellow, white
            and copper-Beech brown.

Almost October.
    Sky clear.
        Sun warm.
            A riot of color in the hills.

This afternoon we'll drink
    chrysanthemum tea and sigh
        for all this momentary,
            melancholy beauty.