I Breathed in Fall.

I wasn’t ready, but today I breathed in fall.

It caught me by surprise

and filled my lungs without warning…

and without consent.

So different from summer

No heat

No mugginess

No promise of tan lines

or cocktails

or a dip in the pool

Instead of the sun, my shoulders were kissed by cool breezes

as a smoky scent crept up my nose

and a longing for apple pie filled my thoughts.

“STOP!” I begged.

“I’m a summer girl!”

As I pulled on a cardigan and sat on my deck.

I’ve had enough change recently,

Just give me time to adjust…

But the leaves waved as if taunting me,

some falling by my bare feet just to prove their point.

The choice no longer mine,

I took another breath.

And as the crisp, cool air replenished me,

I thought

Maybe fall knows better than me.

Maybe it came to heal…

Or maybe it just came to balance.

I tucked my bare feet under me

and wrapped my sweater tightly around my body.

I guess it’s time to settle in.

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