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Watching the tree branches swaying out the window,
The fall weather chill is blowing its way into our lives.
The maples are turning, too soon all the trees will be stripped bare.
The wind begins to pluck the leaves and litter the ground below.
Already the nights are longer than the days.
The dark season is arriving, the bitter cold will follow.
Most mammals in this northern clime will hibernate.
The trees in their way hibernate, too.
Autumn is gorgeous. Winter has a crystalline beauty.
But a cold house makes for cold bones
And a retreat to huddling under extra covers
And an interminable wait for the spring thaw.
Today is beautiful, seeing the light and shadow.
Let me enjoy what is given to us.
When the season advances this year
I will have the inner warmth of a loved companion.
Call it the indoors season, the heating season,
The time when we survive because we have our human habitat.
There’s nothing melancholy about that.
We can bundle up and make forays out and about.
It begins today. I put on an extra layer and go out into the day
Taking full advantage of what daylight hours the retreating sun gives.
Soon the days of red cheeks and cold hands will be upon us.
The welcome hiss of steam heat will comfort us.
