The Leaves of Autumn

Yesterday was cool and sunny as I drove to Campbellville

to lunch at The Mohawk Inn Restaurant.

Surprisingly, I viewed the first colour paintings of Jack Frost 's

on a couple maple branches.

This article I wrote last year...describing the beauty of our geographical location.

September

There is harmony in autumn

and a lustre in the sky,

which through the summer is not heard or seen.

(Percy Bysshe Shelly)

The Leaves of Autumn

The stifling hot summer has passed

and with its relief

Autumn knocks on its door.

Warm sunny days and evenings of chill...

(when A/C not in need)

How lovely to waken to singing of birds!

It's School Days, Thanksgiving and Hallowe'en.

Suddenly, I'm aware of the highway beauty...

wonder gazing...the Escarpment

to the north and to the west.

If an artist, on canvas painted

the hillside trees, lofting to limestone cliffs,

in flaming yellows, hot oranges, reds,

the golds, the russets and sumac's deep wine

all mottled with forest green sprinklings

of cedars, the spruce and the pines,

...how mesmerized we'd be

with the palette of colours...so brilliant

that only Mother Nature could create!

I drive 'round bend on the high-level bridge

to marvel geography's vista!

Before my eyes, a panorama unfolds:

Burlington Bay...white sails still a-flutter;

Hamilton city's escarpment setting;

Cootes Paradise...so scenic,

so quiet, so peaceful, so serene;

the trees...a mosaic of colour

...they kiss the water's edge

as they descend the lush valley

from the Lilac Garden above.

A gentle breeze wafts the fluffy white clouds

drifting ever so slow 'cross pale azure skies.

“The Four Seasons”

(not only a quartet of renown)

is unique to our home on this planet.

Where else can Christmas enthrall us...

pristine snow on evergreens,

strewn coloured lights and an outdoor rink,

the icy blue of Lake and streams?

Ever been enraptured ...with the sculptures of ice

along Ontario's shore?

The Full Moon...have you viewed it

on a frigid cold night

and heard the Huskies howl?

Nature's resource delivers

unlimited Springtime balm;

the budding of pastel greens,

forsythias of golden yellow;

Spring's fleeting blossoms

forecast... their sweet juicy fruit.

A walk in the woodlands...

a shaded canopy

where the trilliums and the violets grow

on the carpeted forest floor.

We'll not overlook the Summer's haze

...and the long lazy days;

the hot dogs at Hutch's

and a stroll through fine sand;

the Lake's rippling waters;

sandals, bikinis and sun-tanned bodies;

patio parties and outdoor cafes

with weeping willow views

of the vast blue waters

where the freighters inch

to the Bridge and the Harbour.

'Tis “Cottage Country Time”

away from the sprawl.

.......................................................

“Mother Earth”...if we listen to her...

gives us the elixir...to enjoy all seasons.

Such ecstasy it can be!

The American Indians of the Northwest

Believe

All of Nature has a Spiritual Life.

Merle Baird-Kerr    written October 18, 2010