Falling into Fall

As late September steals
the vivid colors and vigorous
growth of summer, it's easy
to imagine nature has closed
the door on beauty and delight.

But it hasn't.

It's all there nestled in the
muted tones of autumn.
There for the watchful, the
open-eyed, and mindful.

It's there in the late bloomers.

In the fan of tie-dye ferns.

In the vine on the tree inching toward
the cliché of impossibly perfect
fall decor.

And the milkweed, bursting
with silky seeds.

Airborne beauty
just waiting to
be captured.

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