Autumn

The days are growing shorter
The sun sets earlier and earlier
There is a wind that blows colder
All remind that autumn is here

Chill in the air early morning
The frost regularly forming
Wispy strands of mist linger and melt slowly
Even as the sky turns blue and clear
The sun shines making one squint in its brightness

The countryside changes at first slowly
With leaves changing colour continually
There are shades of pale green to yellow
From bright red and oranges to brown and mellow
Nature slowing down for another year

The countryside prepares to sleep
The squirrels gathering nuts and seeds to keep
The birds chirping later in the morning
All the nests empty as babies have finished fledging
The rush of life in summer quietening

People start airing warm clothes
Warm colours being displayed in fashion shows
Fashion changes to clothes that are warming
In colours of browns, yellows, rust and oranges glowing
Matching the beautiful autumn colours of the countryside

The fire place is readied for warming the home
Logs cut and piled in basket next to it
Pine cones gathered for that autumn aroma
The sofas pulled closer to bask in the log fire
Luxuriating carpets and furry throws

Time to be spent in snuggling by the fire
Laying games or losing oneself in reading
Time for bonding in the family
Taking time to cook hearty warming meals
Sharing over love and laughter

All can be this idyllic I dream
The log fire is a small electric one
Pine cones sit in potpourri bowls
The rooms are small and snug
Hearing the echoes of laughter of old

Sitting on opposite ends of the sofa
Toes playing under the warm throw
Watching the occasional good comedy on tv
Smiling and remembering the summer holiday
Comparing it to the other holidays fondly

Poetically one talks of hearty warming soups and meals
I am partial to dals and curries all year round
So there is little change except less of the cold salads
Bring on the beans and leafy vegetables
The Gujarati heart warmer of undhyun and rotla

The shorter days with decreasing daylight
Brings on time for contemplation and introspection
Careful it does not turn depressing
Bringing on the Seasonal Affective Disorder
So find every minute of cheery sun light

Look forward to winter and the festive season
Sadly now more commercial than fun
Changing countryside from colour to bare trees
Leaves covering the earth and animals borrowing deep
Autumn is a beautiful time with a splash of colours between the blue of the sky and water