STORYTIME TAPESTRY

The Newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world

Special Treat ??“  From Me!

July 6, 2005

Autumn Dance

Carol Roach

I am not a person who enjoys extreme weather. I live in Montreal where we enjoy four seasons, or at least some of us do. However, I am not one of them. I do not like cold winter or the hot sweltering summer heat. I dislike that sticky clammy feeling descending upon me like a wet heavy blanket when the humidity attacks with full-force.

I am tired, I feel heavy, I feel depleted; I am thirsty. I never feel comfortable. I walk from the air conditioning building that houses my workplace; an ice palace of sorts, to the sweltering heat of the city outdoors. The shock to my system is dramatic. I feel like I am stepping into a blazing inferno, a little taste of hell. How could nature be so wonderful and yet so cruel?

The summer drags on as I thirst for my favourite season. I yearn for autumn; its cool refreshing breezes invigorate my soul.

I am completely filled when I taste the flavours of the season. I delight in the dance of the autumn leaves swirling in the wind, rising from the ground in a mini tornado of vibrant colour: red, orange, yellow, green. It is the dance of the sugar plum fairies spreading their mystical delight.

I laugh as I watch the performance of the leaves. I see the dance of nature's lovers chasing one another until they are caught; if they are caught. It reminds me of the mating dance of honey bees. I can hear their buzzing, their sound of love, as I watch in delight. I never tire of the performance in front of me.

Out of the corner of my eye I see a squirrel scamper up the tree to his nesting place. He knows the dance of the autumn leaves foretell how winter will soon be upon us.

The world continues around me; just another day like any other, but for me the world does not stand still. I am mesmerized by the dance of the leaves. I watch in the background like a mother watching her young children play. I am reminded that Mother Nature and Father Time are in the background of this little scenario. They too are watching their offspring play for the last time. Soon the dead of winter will bring on their deep restful sleep.

I feel the love that surrounds me. I taste the sweet surrender of the season as it bows out gracefully, yet mischievously, as my children, my leaves, set the mood for the new snowy world to come. I stand in the background. I am the mournful parent watching her children grow and move on to lives of their own.

I will miss my children; the leaves. I will miss their frolicking in the invigorating, robust autumn breeze. I can already taste my salty bittersweet tears.

And then it happens. I am hit with a beautiful red leaf which gently slaps my face as it ascends to the top of my head; its final resting place.

I don't shake off my little leaf, I wear it with pride. For it is nature's way of saying I am one of her own. I am her child. I am part of the little dance of the leaves. I am part of the melody of nature, the song of the seasons.

And when I taste her charms I am refreshed. I am filled with wonder. My thirst for the beauty of autumn is quenched and I am completely satisfied. I shall thirst no more.

Carol Roach

winterose@videotron.ca

A Native of Montreal, Quebec, Carol is a graduate of Concordia, and McGill University.  She holds a bachelor in psychology and a masters in counselling psychology.  Carol Roach is a published writer and newsletter editor.  You can purchase her book: Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey at www.publishamerica.com, or www.amazon.com.  You can also go to your local bookstore and order it there as well.  Carol has now finished her second novel and currently looking for a publisher. 

If you are interested in other stories feel free to join her newsletter: Storytime Tapestry at: http://subs.zinester.com/98907 , or email her directly at winterose@videotron.ca and she will be glad to accommodate you.  Carol enjoys email and responds to every inquiry.