picking pumpkins

they study
the pumpkins. white sweaters
around
their waists.
him in a creased plaid shirt,
her in a cream
pair of slacks.
a starch white blouse.
his hair is dark with flecks
of silver.
hers is blonde and hangs
straight on her shoulders.
the door of their SUV
is open.
you see a crate
of wine on the tan leather seats.
a dog sitting properly
at attention.
long haired
and red,
well bred, perhaps
even well read.
the couple, discuss
the pumpkins
picking up each,
holding the orange globes
up to the fading light,
setting them down. they take
pictures of them with their phones.
asking the owner, who
comes out from
under a porch with a cane,
and a pipe
curling smoke into the air
to ask where and when
these pumpkins were
picked.
and the gourds, them
too. how much?
is your apple cider sweet
is it hard? will you carve
the pumpkins for us
if we give you
the diagrams? we need them
by Friday.
do you take an American
express card.