A Day in Autumn, by R.S. Thomas

'It will not always be like this,

The air windless, a few last

Leaves adding their decoration

To the trees' shoulders, braiding the cuffs

Of the boughs with gold: A bird preening

In the lawn's mirror. Having looked up

From the day's chores, pause a minute,

Let the mind take its photograph

Of the bright scene, something to wear

Against the heart in the long cold'

Come said the wind to the leaves one day.

Come o're the meadows and we will play.

Put on your dresses scarlet and gold.

For Summer is gone and the days grow cold.

This is taken from a book of poems compiled by my dear friend, Gubs.

Even though I am a baby born in Winter, Autumn is my most favorite time of year. Wouldn't it be cool if at the stroke of the hands on the clocks everything turned instantly into AUTUMN? The golds, reds, oranges, greens, browns and yellows just magically appear and all of us wearing the prettiest Fair Isle sweaters that blend with nature. Ahhh yes, Autumn deserves to be spelt with a capital A.

I picked up a copy of the Chicago Tribune in the airport last week. I couldn't resist the article, "Why we (HEART/with Maple leaf inside) fall". Some of the things we love about fall are: Bonfires (haven't been to a good one since high school), Bright red leaves, Open windows, no a/c, no heat, Homecoming games and dances, baking bread, hot chocolate, feeling cozy again, trying not to buy a new book every other day, farm stand apples and last but not least, THE BEARS! (hey - it's the Tribune)

I hope you had a lovely First Day of Autumn. No pictures today - enjoy the ones in your mind's eye.

Ciao