Welcome Fall!!
This week we saw the arrival of the first day of autumn! I do like fall, but I am always sad to see the end of summer, which is my favorite season. Plus we know what follows fall are several long months of winter here in the Midwest. In order to get myself into the fall season spirit, I am starting to haul out my autumn and Halloween decorations, but with the hot weather still lingering, it is a bit of a tough transition. However, the evenings are getting dark earlier and earlier every day, the mornings are crisp, and leaves are starting to change. So fall is going to arrive whether I am ready or not!
Several years ago, when I was a teenager, I wrote the first of what I now call my Four Seasons series of poems. The first one was called “It’s Springtime Once Again,” and it eventually found its way into my first book, Walk Through a Field of Flowers. This poem introduced the characters of Mother Earth, the babbling brook, chipmunks, the trees, and the children. They were all doing activities related to the season. Since then, my second and third books carried on with “It’s Winter Once Again” and “It’s Summertime Once Again.” Here is the link to that post and poem (https://thepracticalpoet.com/its-summertime-once-again-from-gather-seeds-of-hope/). Since this is my fourth book, and there are four seasons, this poem concludes the Seasons series.
I had no idea when I wrote that first poem so long ago that it would eventually be joined by the other three seasons. I was so happy to reintroduce these characters in each of the poems as they partake in all of the activities and traditions of that particular time of year. I actually got a little sad when I was done with this one since it concluded the series. But then a friend reminded me that there are all kinds of seasons: puppy season, kitten season, baseball season, holiday season. . . Well, you get the point. So, who knows what the future will hold? Perhaps the Seasons series will grow and evolve, and maybe we’ll see these characters again. I hope you enjoy this last installment of the Four Seasons Series.
It’s Autumn Once Again
The calendar has flipped again.
The air is crisp and cool.
The summer toys are put away,
And the kids are back in school.
I feel the chill spread through my lungs
As I breathe the morning air,
And I realize that suddenly
Pumpkin spice is everywhere!
The days are getting shorter
As I watch the fall sunrise.
Jack-o’-lanterns perch on stoops
With silly grins and triangle eyes.
A cornucopia sits next to them.
And behind them on the wall,
Hangs a sign declaring,
“Fall’s the best time of all!”
In the yard stands a scarecrow,
His arms outstretched with straw.
The black birds express their discontent,
Yelling out a loud caw caw.
The children are all aflutter;
What will they be for Halloween?
Perhaps a princess with a crown,
Or a monster, fierce and mean?
Their anticipation grows as they
Imagine their favorite sweet
And hope it’s in their pail
When they can finally trick-or-treat.
The chipmunks are rushing to and fro;
Do they ever rest?
Gathering up nuts and seeds,
As they prepare their winter’s nest.
The trees are busy turning leaves
To the most vibrant of shades,
Vividly painting the horizon
Before the color fades.
The trees get even busier,
Shaking leaves to the ground
So that we have to rake them
Into a crunchy, russet mound.
The babbling brook still has much to say,
Although she’s slowing down
As the morning frost covers her
Like a silky, gossamer gown.
Mother Earth sips her latte,
Feeling warm and satiated.
Taking pride in the colorful scene,
And the rich landscape she’s created.
The smell of warm cinnamon
Is wafting through the air.
Cardigans and long-sleeved shirts
Replace the summer wear.
Holiday decorations are displayed,
Hanging on a few front doors.
Christmas trees have already found
Their way into the stores.
But Christmas needs to slow its roll.
It always seems to forget
That autumn needs to have its time—
We’re not ready for Christmas yet!
Thanksgiving is approaching soon.
Let’s celebrate that day
With gratitude for all the blessings
That have come our way.
I feel so calm and peaceful,
Gazing at the harvest moon.
As I wrap my sweater tighter,
Knowing it’ll be winter very soon.
But tonight I won’t fast-forward time,
As I enjoy the abundance of the fall.
I think I agree with that sign—
It is the best season of all.
-K.A. Bloch-
