Seasonal Decline

Late summer in the garden
presents a challenge to the
shrubs and perennials,
their bright enthusiasm spent,
their efforts flagging and even
the insouciant ever-blooming
annuals are languishing,
exhausted by summer's
expectations of a well-mannered
garden. Some have outlived
their contract with nature,
others in voluntary decline
and many, faded and wan,
insist they will bravely
forge on. Morning sun
catches the transparent blue
of Morning Glories, the
sun-bright gold and orange
flashes of nasturtiums featured
like flags unwilling to surrender
their freedom to bloom as
summer declines and fall's 
gradual decay sets the agenda
for winter's final assault on
the garden's courageous
denial on its way to
seasonal obliteration.