Autumn at Taos

Autumn at Taos Coming down the mountain in great golden steps Is a giant dressed in gypsy colors You do not forget.

Autumn is a giant— Bright blue at his head, bright lavender at his throat, Sparkling yellow with green for his shirt and shoes, Green for his trousers, and red for his vest.

Autumn, the giant at Taos, Scatters gold on the green trees and scarlet on the road-side bushes ; Along the river he walks slowly Painting with vibrant hues Willow, boxelder, and cottonwood.

Dreaming by the river The giant grows older Forgetting his great golden steps Down Taos mountain.

When he crosses the mesa, His yellow is straw color, his scarlet umber, His green is silken with gray, And he is dusty and old.

The gypsy giant who trod Taos mountain With his great golden steps (Though you have not forgotten) Is gone.