Deb Strafuss

As Fall progresses, and we watch and wait with baited breath to see what rating on the scale this year’s display of colors will be, I always experience the November let down as whatever last bountiful beauty of leaf and foliage disappear from view, falling softly and gently, making no sound as they go, or wind-whipped and stripped early from their bower by the force of fall’s early fury and power. This year, I had an amazing experience of watching heavy snow fall on golden leaves, weighting branches almost to the ground; and for the first time I realized the wisdom of Mother Nature who bares our northern branches to sustain our trees through their winter.

My reflections from a journey through the woods last fall, and the journey through the fall season of my own life, bring us – human creatures – and our brother/sister trees into focus….

Bright colors,

Lost leaves…

Everything gives –

soft wonder perceives…                                    

Standing back for a moment to look

at which paths you recently took

brings a musing and wondering stare

at the choices that brought you there

Be awake, and very aware

as you tally your score with care

Did you leaf fall

and burst with color and dare

to live life with its charms and its calls?

At the end of the Fall

when your branches are bare

will they say what a

beautiful form

is left by the life you adorned?