The last of the stars wink out and the sky changes from a deep indigo to a soft pearly grey. Morning light filters through the trees and the first rays of light softly illuminate the delicate foliage turning the muted shades into brilliant accessories. Like vivid jewels they hang waiting for the wind to shake them loose to begin their quiet descent were they slowly mix with the earth filling the air with their thick rich scent. The sweet fragrance entices you out to drink in the heady aroma. Nestled in piles at the base of trees scattered across the ground they lay like fallen gems. Frozen dew drops sparkle like crystals catches your eye and you stop to watch the way they slowly melt in the suns warmth releasing an array of colors in the dawns early light. You can see your breath as you walk along the path listening to the sounds of life embark on a new day. Birds coo and sing flitting about from limb to limb. Slumbering animals awake and begin to scurry about hurrying to finish their harvest gathering in preparation for the long cold days that lay ahead. Carried on the wind are the fair well songs bidding those left behind good bye until another season. Reds and orange and gold dominate the landscape taking center stage pushing the evergreens into the background. You hear the sound of crackling as the leaves crunch beneath your feet. The suns warmth chases away the morning chill warming the ground. A swirling haze of fog rises up in twisted curls and disappears evaporating in the sunshine. Thoughts of hot cider the scent of cinnamon and clovers the taste of apple pie fill your mind. Along the path children race past you school books in tow laughing and shouting hurrying to catch their bright yellow bus. Autumn is like a grand lady who dresses herself in her most splendid finery. Adorning herself in magnificent beauty she stands out more radiantly then her sister’s spring and summer refusing to leave without being noticed. In summers fading glory she shines brightly heralding in the next season. Before the long cold days of winter autumn gives the very best of herself offering warm sun soaked days and cool crisp nights. Too soon do her days pass each one growing more dark then the last until she takes her leave and makes way for winter. Cold rains come loosing the last of her leaves washing them down and away. The forest stands barren and naked against the cold sky and the frost comes everyday. The suns warmth weakens and the last of the autumn blossoms fade away. All the snow birds have flown south for the winter and the animals have long since hidden themselves away curling up to nestle down again for the long night. In your house you sit a warm fire at your feet and a cup of hot cider in your hand. On the table is a leaf painted in hues of red, orange and gold. You remember your walk along the path and the rich dark scent of fall leaves as they crunched under your feet. You curl up in the glow of the fire listening to the wind howl outside and watch the snow flakes softly fall blanketing everything in white and you wait for that first morning light to filter through the trees to once again warm the tiny buds that would soon unfurl and bloom into delicate green foliage. Soon birds will begin to arrive to chirp happily at your window and long slumbering animals will awaken in their dens ready to begin their lives again. Soon the cold dark night of winter will pass and the first warm rays of light will bring spring and the promise of warm sun filled days.
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