Harbingers of Fall

At the edge of our lake stands a lone Black Tupelo tree.  Each year, its leaves are the first to don autumn colors.  They are our harbingers of fall.  Yesterday, we looked up and saw that their green had gone red-tinged.

Yesterday, too, we walked to the edge of the woods and watched the deer gather in the field at twilight.  Fawns, does, young bucks with new antlers.  In small groups, they emerged from the forest’s margin, convening in the dusk in the center of the field.  Their nightly ritual.

As we stood in that mellow light, watching, a mild wind blowing steadily against our bare arms, our bare legs, our bare heads, it was so evident:

Summer is departing, and autumn is on her way.

Though the hot bright days of summer may have worn us down, the crisp cool days of autumn will restore us.  It’s a wonderful time of year, so full of bounty and promise.  How I love it!