A maple leaf fell

For the first time this year

A leaf fell into my path.

Its color glowing bright as it sank,

Like a piece of the evenings golden sunlight

Fell away from the orange light and drifted down

To rest on all that's still green below.

In that moment the tree and I both

Turned toward each other and gasped,

Equally stunned by this first loss.

As the leaf landed on top of the stones and moss

A feeling settled in the tree and myself.

The feeling of cool relief washed over

Like the first breeze to break the summer heat.

Then a bittersweet rush that only comes

Whenever you know a story is about to end

Just a little too soon.

The cold settles quick this close to the sea,

Nothing to block us here from the chills

Of each ocean breeze.

The fog rolls in and settles over the trees.

They know they'll soon be in mourning

While we all wait for the new coat of leaves.

The thunder rolls in on this still-summer night

Signaling the sky is just as upset by our news.

The clouds swallow the last hour of sun

As our sky pushes and pulls against itself,

Fighting the friction this first cold front brings.

With each raindrop falling

I now hear the crops cheer.

The harvest season is coming

Along with the Witch's New Year.