An October Illusion
Backlit by the sun
I watched a bright orange leaf
floating high above me,
and I thought how odd for an autumn leaf
to float so long in the sky
without spiraling to the ground —
a leaf joyfully surfing
on a current of bright October air.
A defiant leaf. A magical leaf —
Then the leaf stalled, changed direction, and flew away.
A butterfly!
(Well, sadly there are few enough of those these days.)
Whether rebellious leaf or elusive monarch
what a joy to encounter them both —
high above my head, too high to touch with my fingertips
but not too high for my grateful heart to soar.
I love the October prompt from Weeds and Wildflowers, “What Soars Above”. So often, even when I set out for a ramble along my usual country road, I don’t always remember to tilt my head upwards to look at the sky.
I am often more intent on looking at ferns, or wildflowers, or newly “hatched” mushrooms, beneath the shadows of the trees. Or perhaps I am gazing at the trees themselves, hoping to discern a shy bird or a scolding squirrel peering down at me.
October skies are particularly dazzling in New England. The vividness of the blue on a cloudless morning, and the bright orange, yellow, and red of the Autumn leaves above our heads always remind me of a child’s crayon box. Everything seems new and bright, even though the year is drawing to a close, the trees will soon be leafless, and frost will soon coat the naked shrubs and stubbled grass.
But the skies in every season and every weather are ours for the looking!
