November

"How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow."
-   Elsie N. Brady, Leaves

All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray…yes, the words to the old mamas and Papa’s song drift through my brain as I look out at the cold landscape. Any morning now there will be the first frost of the season. It is sad to see the warmth go, but even sadder to see continuous days without the sun. It’s time to light the candles as the sun goes down so early. Time to snuggle in. Reading books and baking bread seem to be in order. November is just a quiet month before the bustle of Christmas.