Another View of Autumn

Monday morning, October 8th: a northern gust wakes me with its hellish breath carrying the threat of dark months and chills to come On October 10th my friend Ruth, strolling her leafy neighborhood, notes a few notes of brilliant orange and red that garnish her beloved trees and finally notices the presence of autumn Sixteen days ago, I traded my shirtsleeves for a downy jacket to shield me from the sudden chill Thirteen days ago, I combed the streets for yet another disaster blanket to complete my sidewalk nest Three nights ago, I prayed to God for a knit cap to soften the numbness of my ears Today, Ruth finally notices autumn her rich season of colorful splendor Yet, a month ago, when all the radiant Ruths of the world were bathed in the boundless freedom of summer I rode along a mountain path, turned to a companion, and said "look at the leaves; a few already forecast the autumn" and even amid the beauty a silent chill stole through my heart Soon, Ruth will sit before a fireplace, cradled in warmth and, through a window, gaze at the ethereal sweetness of a winter night A mile away, I will scrounge for more disaster blankets to ward off the lethal breath of northern gales Written November 6th, 2001 © on Nov 06 2001 07:55 AM PST   0 • 1