to feature the change of seasons, our
experiences, etc.
Submitted to dVerse
September 4, 2017
The very word autumn brings a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and scents to me. There are childhood memories of hayrides, V’s of southbound geese overhead, fall displays of gourds, corn shocks and pumpkins, trips to the apple and peach orchards, the sounds of harvest in the fields, bonfires, and wiener roasts. After marriage and children there are memories of football games, marching bands, fall festivals, the state fair and girlfriend getaway trips to the Smokey Mountains. And always, always, nature’s backdrop of the glorious palette of autumn, when the hardwoods of the Midwest don their glorious wardrobes of crimson, gold, russet, and orange; when the birds flock for migration and busy squirrels can be seen burying their winter stores. In September, there’s a subtle change in the air, and the occasional crisp morning offers a harbinger of the season to come. I’m reminded of the words in Ecclesiastes “To every thing there is a season…”
**************
feast of the senses
savor the gifts of autumn
gratitude abounds
A lovely write!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you brought up Ecclesiastes in this, Beverly, for it (and the Byrds version of it) always reminded me of the change in seasons, specifically Summer to Autumn. Such strong reminders well written!
ReplyDeleteI love that Ecclesiastes phrase :) Thank you for the reminding. Our fall days in the city of Boston are a bit different from those we spent for so many years in Iowa. But I take walks in the Commons and Public Gardens, enjoying the tree colors and buy a pumpkin for our deck (7th floor in a high rise) and hang a beautiful fall wreath on our door -- even though our door is at the end of a long corridor of doors that lead into other city condos. I like to think of it as "making the seasons" in our city life :)
ReplyDeleteA sharp contrast between Iowa and a 7th floor condo in Boston, but it sounds as if you have lovely walks in the Commons and Public Gardens, and take the time to put a bit of autumn on your door. Have a glorious autumn, Lillian!
DeleteA pure delight to read. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
Oh my! Bev, you have painted it all so beautifully here. I especially like the picture you use to represent this. I love nostalgia (must be getting older!). I'm not a house decorator or pumpkin putter outer. I let the surrounding trees and birds do it for me. I love the colors and smells in your haibun and the haiku's last line...gratitude abounds. Yes it does. A time for all things...
ReplyDeleteI think that being somewhat close to nature makes you feel the changes... for a few years I lived in a city, and it was amazing to see how people imagined autumn with new clothes instead of feeling it.
ReplyDeleteI am fortunate to live at the very edge of the city, in a wooded area very near a huge park. I have the best of all worlds!
DeleteWhat an idyllic haibun. Instead of reading the horrors of the news tonight, I'm going to reread this and breathe a sigh of relief. Thanks for posting this, Beverly!
ReplyDeleteI love the descriptions of autumn here and the scripture!
ReplyDeleteWe sometimes went to the Smokey Mountains. Other times to Door County in Wisconsin during this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI love your haiku...and appropriate reference to Ecclesiastes!
ReplyDeleteSomehow, I feel sad when autumn rolls in. But you are right, autumn is a season for thanksgiving - as it is the time when the earth yields its bounties, among others. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the sights and images of the autumn season ~
ReplyDeleteThere is something very nostalgic about Autumn - more so than any other time of year. I was quite taken a couple years back when I first smelled and tasted Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... pure magic.
ReplyDelete