I saw in my yard

a tree

as barren as a tree

could be

Without a single leaf

or color of any kind

I searched the branches

for signs of life

Except for two walnuts

the life of the tree

was gone

If the two nuts

weren't hanging

manly, on my tree

that is otherwise

as barren as can be

then winter should surely come

Still, hanging tight

the walnuts are

like two men

out on a limb

those stubborn nuts!

working together, but alone

keeping winter at bay

no snow will come

They are what's left of Autumn

afraid, perhaps, to fall

like all the other nuts before them

scattered on the ground-

like tennis balls