the breath of autumn fills the air

in the south, cotton shows the season--not trees changing color. a quatern

the breath of autumn fills the air
as snow white puffs criss-cross the breeze
free-flying cotton, unaware
of what its presence has to mean—

for when the cotton fields are ripe
the breath of autumn fills the air
at harvest, cotton pickers ride
each little cotton plant to tear

up from its roots—the fences there
are lined with workers eating food,
the breath of autumn fills the air
in pumpkin buns and cider brew—

don’t mind the heat, it too will pass,
and winter’s chill fall everywhere
but now, the weather’s warm and fair
the breath of autumn fills the air.

line count: 16

author's note: a quatern is a form that has eight syllables per line and a refrain that is repeated every stanza--first line of the first stanza, the second of the second, the third of the third, and the fourth of the fourth.
quatern  

Prompt ▶︎

Prompt for: Sept 28, 2015 (Ren) <---fyn did it
Subject or Theme: Write about autumn things. Use a form; no free verse.
Word(s) to Include: field, cross, harvest, fence, tear, fall (or any derivatives of these words)
Forbidden Word(s): none (or any derivatives of these words)
Additional Parameters: In the author's note explain what form you used. Repeat as necessary to have at least 16 lines. No haiku, senryu or tanka!
Remember, do not use forbidden words ANYWHERE, including title or the brief description.