October

October is age regal and triumphant, 

the impartial judge on the bench,

 the dowager duchess, wise, strong, 

and in excellent health, 

bearing easily the weight of velvet robes 

which change with shifting light from deep blue

 to plum color and crimson,

 of heavy chains, heavy pins, 

heavy rings all of gold, 

all of the great keys which this month

 is the keeper of the coin of the realm

 secreted in the robe's capacious pockets."

Gladys Hasty Carroll