Friday November 18 2016  AUTUMN’S FAREWELL

Autumn has visited this Northern climate with her last kiss of the season.  I do believe her kiss was ever so brief this morning before she bid farewell; over a month earlier than the calendar departure date.  I guess it is true that all good things come to an end.  This year autumn seemed relentless.  We have had the most astounding November temperatures that I can remember. 

Dave has persistently worked in the yard from morning until dark with only short periods of rest and food breaks.  Many of the leaves would just not fall.  We think it was because of the warm weather.  It has been in the sixties and sometimes even in the low seventies for the past several weeks.  As we waited for all the leaves to fall Dave would diligently blow leaves from lawn areas and deposit them on flowerbeds and then blow the excess leaves into the wooded area.  Because we have so many leaves it is easier to do it piecemeal, rather than wait until the trees are bare.  Some years it doesn’t happen that way if we receive an early freeze and continuous cold weather.  And once the weather turns cold it usually stays cold and then it is quite a hardship to be outside for so many hours cleaning up leaves.  Regardless the plummeting temperatures or how early or late the leaves fall, they must be raked or blown away.  It is just so much nicer to work outside when it is warmer.

This year, Mother Nature was kind.  The leaves fell in waves and the temperature was comfortable for working.  Dave worked hard to beat the inevitable dip of the thermostat.  And, he made it!  All of the most important things were finished today.  And it was just in time!  This morning autumn dawned bright and clear with comfortable temperatures.  The air was still with the promise of being a pleasant workday.  I think it was just a kind way for autumn to say goodbye. 

As I worked in the kitchen midday making soup with fresh air coming through the opened kitchen window, I heard a sound that I thought to be military planes flying overhead.  There was a loud roar off in the distance and I felt a strong puff of wind come through the kitchen window.  It took me a couple of moments before I realized the planes were not flying away but the sound was persistently howling and screeching without let up.  I looked out the window to see whirlwinds of leaves chasing each other in circles.  Trees were bowing in the wind.  What I heard was a non-stop, howling roar.  Even now, many hours later as I sit writing these words I hear the roar of autumn saying goodbye.  Over the course of a couple of hours the sky became overcast and it is expected that the temperature will drop to 32 degrees tonight. 

I hold no animosity for autumn high tailing it earlier than the calendar date.  I am just thankful for the beautiful gift of enjoying warmer than normal weather these past few weeks (50 degrees and above is warmer).  We are sometimes already under snow this time of year.  There is a small chance for snow tonight so I guess one of my favorite seasons of the year has imparted her last kiss.  Thank you autumn.  I have enjoyed every single day!

AUTUMN’S FAREWELL

Kathleen Martens

November 18, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

Autumn dawn in sunrise red

Lights the sky in rosy glow.

Long shadows in golden hue

Create a festive flow.

Promise of peace and promise of calm,

The day awakens anew,

As if autumn caressed the earth,

No inkling that autumn was through.

But not until she said goodbye

To the end of a brilliant season.

She bent down and kissed the earth

Before she committed her treason.

Another hour, another year

She will come once again.

But we enjoyed her while she was here.

We’ll miss her like a long lost friend.

And now we usher in winter’s delight

Of cold days and colder nights,

And through the chill of wintry weather

Some days we’ll have to fight.

Each season offers beauty.

Each has a beginning and an end.

And how delightful that each is distinguished,

And truly becomes our friend.

Thank You God that I live in part of the world that experiences the seasons!

Thank You too Lord that I do not suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.).

Thank You God for all my beautiful geraniums blooming in my sun room.

Thank You God for all my food.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.  I HOPE YOUR AUTUMN HAS BEEN AS BEAUTIFUL AND PLEASANT AS OURS HAS BEEN.

IT’S TIME TO BUNDLE UP!