Autumn in the Suburbs

The scent of woodsmoke
permeates my neighborhood
warming houses
and making breathing difficult.

The aroma
of burning wood
arouses memories of a time
when burning autumn leaves,
within the city limits,
was not forbidden.

I remember
picking up a yellow cottonwood leaf
and placing
it in the metal barrel
that my Grandfather used
to burn leaves and other trash.

I remember
spending a cool fall day
helping Grandpa
with the yard work.