I Will Lie Down in Autumn

I Will Lie Down
by May Swenson

I will lie down in autumn
let birds be flying
Swept in a hollow by the wind
I’ll wait for dying
I will lie inert unseen
my hair same-colored with grass and leaves
Gather me for the autumn fires
with the withered sheaves
I will sleep face down in the burnt meadow
not hearing the sound of water over stones
Trail over me cloud and shadow
Let snow hide the whiteness of my bones