Fall

The cool breeze runs its long fingers through the branches. The tree dances back and forth and scatters brightly colored leaves to the already dense pile beneath it. The wind holds moisture- a promise of rain in the near future. The sun light glints off the dry leaves and nearby wood smoke floats upward and disappears into the darkening clouds. Children laugh nearby and the sound drifts along lazily. The brilliant yellows and burgundies of the sunset are reflected in the color of the fallen leaves. They crunch and whisper as an old man walks his dog along the path. He makes his way slowly--his dog’s tail swishes against his pant leg in a steady pattern. He and his dog disappear over the hill. The sun is almost gone now - the clouds coveting the last rays. A young couple walks just as slowly as the old man, but they are savoring the walk. He has his arm around her waist; her head is on his shoulder. He whispers softly in her ear as they pass under the tree. Startled- a gray bird takes flight; they look up and smile as it fly away.