An early autumn morning

Late in September
I step out into the first cool, brisk morning
of this new autumn

It is dark
but the moon illuminates its place in the sky
and stars dot the vast expanse above
a preview of the cloudless day ahead

My steps feel crisper, lighter
my lungs adjust to the different feel of the air
my hands quickly take on the chill in the air
and call out to rest in the warmth
of my sweatshirt pockets

I take it all in as I walk
and I smile

The crickets cheer me on
as I walk up the middle of the street
since there are no cars
to break the autumn mood this early

This adventure of the senses
this experience of the world at peace and at rest
these quiet moments of connectedness
with myself
and with nature in her most beautiful season 

This is what we are made
to receive
to be with
to appreciate
to feel at home in
to share

Along the way
I stop to take in the sun
rising in the eastern sky
I note my longing to see more sunrises
and attempt to capture the moment with my iphone camera
but the result reminds me –
some things are meant simply to be experienced
not taken or possessed

The brilliant oranges
yellows and reds
of this morning sky
leave no room in the moment
for blues in my heart

Enjoy this moment
I whisper to myself
be in this moment

As I near home
I see earthy brown mushrooms
rising from the green grass all around me
the light of daybreak revealing
what days of rain have produced but
which had been hidden by darkness
just a short time before

The moon’s radiance
is quieter now
the stars have disappeared into the light blue sky
the birdsong is becoming louder
as the crickets quiet their cheering symphony
and rest before they serenade again –
their contribution to another
sumptuous early autumn morning

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Further Thought

Whatever time of day it is, or whatever season you find yourself in when you read this, describe something about your day for which you are grateful.