AN: Dear Pearl, I know you wanted a story with Pippin riding a pony in autumn. Somehow a story wouldn´t come, so I made a poem out of it. It might be a wee bit "denglish", but I hope you like it. Happy very belated birthday!

An Autumn Ride ( as seen by Peregrin)

for Pearl Took

***

I´m riding on my faithful pony

Through a world of falling leaves,

I lift my head and stare in wonder

At the everlasting trees.

***

Tall and proud they stand around me

Like the greatest kings of old,

Breathing in still warming sunbeams

Wearing crowns of red and gold.

***

I listen and hear them whisper

Of the joys that they have seen,

I shut my eyes and sing with them

Remem´bring summers that have been.

***

A wind comes up, my mare trots faster

Through the rainbow on the ground

That dances laughing all around us

Filling woods with happy sound.

***

A leaf sails past me, clad in yellow

Waving a last Good Bye at me,

Then it turns to meet his fellows

Trav´ling with them far and free.

***

My heart follows and I wonder

What adventures will they meet

In the world behind my homeland

On the path of Elven feet?

***

The sun turns red and all around me

Trees shine in a magic light,

Bursting flames of peaceful fading

Greeting the incoming night.

***

The air gets cold and first stars sparkle

In skies of blue and black and grey,

I´m riding home, smiling contently,

Grateful for this autumn day.

***

The End