Another Farewell

This is serious business, this
serially judicious round after round
of decisions - what to lop off, cut
back, trim and mourn; the 
frost-blackened, exhausted shrubs,
vines and perennial bloomers that
sealed their pact with nature, to
flaunt their flamboyant green
and colour-raucous glory, striding
into their seasons, then collapse
and perish, function fulfilled, as
the gardener looks on with the
usual dismay, refusing all the
evidence of approaching autumn.