By Judy Berman
The Intruders’ Visit
Silent as ninjas, we slip into the woods
on a wide path that beckons thru the Blue Spruce.
A thick, emerald green carpet of moss conceals our footfalls.
Dead pine needles choke out plant life and cushion our path
along the desert floor.
Then, twigs betray us as they crunch under our feet
And herald our presence to the forest’s early warning system.
Birds flutter from their perch.
Their shrill chatter alerts every creature
That intruders are invading their turf.
A Fall Reverie
The late October day is too warm at mid-day
for my beige pullover and tan, green and white flannel shirt.
When the sun begins to sink,
a streak of violet and lavender is cast on the horizon.
A chill sets in and I button the loose shirt.
A stiff, steady breeze rushes thru
and shakes hundreds of gold, orange and crimson leaves free.
My reverie on our deck is cut short by
the frigid blanket that now envelopes me
and I escape to the crackling fire in our family room.
—
Main Photo: Autumn – Forests – taken by David Crocker on Oct. 24, 2004. Delamore Forest and includes the bridleway into Norley village. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Autumn_Colour%2C_Delamere_Forest_-_geograph.org.uk_-_73478.jpg
Photo: Pine trees – taken by Jane023 on Sept. 29, 2013. House De Dennen, where Lies van Oven was living with her parents, still hidden by pine trees from the road. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/House_De_Dennen_hidden_by_pine_trees_from_the_road.JPG/640px-House_De_Dennen_hidden_by_pine_trees_from_the_road.JPG
Photo: Autumn – Indian Summer – taken by Peter Rufi on Oct. 18, 2005. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/IndianSummer.jpg/600px-IndianSummer.jpg
Photo: Autumn – Indian Summer – from a Canadian window – taken by SteGrifo27 on Oct. 18, 2014 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Canadian_window_%2B_indian_summer.JPG/640px-Canadian_window_%2B_indian_summer.JPG
Music video: “Autumn Leaves” by Frank Sinatra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coRoCGbK5Z8
Do you dread autumn as it signals the inevitable approach of winter? Or, do you savor its lingering reminders of summer? What are your thoughts?
