Autumn Color

Other years these would have been early October trees.  This year the leaves turned late, toward the end of the month, and many didn't change at all.  There are still leaves, both green and colored, on some trees but the wind and rains have sent most of them to the ground.  Other years most trees except oaks would have been leafless by the beginning of November.  It's been an unusual fall in this part of Ohio this year.  Even coming late, I'm grateful for autumn's beauty.

I read this poem for the first time last week and love it.  I love this time of year when the nights come early and there's a restfulness and comfort to being inside.

          Welcome, November
            by Elizabeth Coatsworth

          November comes
          And November goes,
          With the last red berries
          And the first white snows.

          With night coming early,
          And dawn coming late,
          And ice in the bucket
          And frost by the gate.

          The fires burn
          And the kettles sing,
          And earth sinks to rest
          Until next spring.


I'm ready to welcome our first snow, predicted for tomorrow!  Happy November to you.

--Nancy.
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