by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024
(Sep. 20, 2024) — The keeper of autumn glided along the way, with her velvet robes sweeping the forest floor behind her. Gently, she caressed each tree she passed, sending a chill up the trunk that caused the limbs to shiver. Her gnome friends scampered up these trees and took the branches in a firm grasp until the leaves began to turn from green to gold, orange or red. Then, with delight, the leaves would shake themselves loose and fly away, happy to be free.
The squirrels, deer and little fox hurried out to follow the beautiful fragrance from the fea princess’ wake. She hummed a song, dark and low, that caused the leaves to turn in the sudden chilly breeze. Above her they swirled in a waltz and let her lead the way to her throne of knotted wood from where she surveyed her work and kept the season in order.
Aw, soft lady, gentle kind, yet full of mystery. The sun still burns, yet the cool wind heals and promises relief and rebirth that comes from sleep.