Gateway to the Seasons

Moonlight over the hills,

Reflecting on my balcony.

The night is young,

My rustic gate is ajar;

Through the woods,

My friends approaches,

Lantern bobbing.

Smoke curls from the stove;

I call for tea.

The autumn stars have paled,

Barking of wakening dogs,

The sadness of a flute carried on the wind.

And still we sit and talk.

The sky lightens;

Rosy clouds and chilly dew,

The earth moss-covered.

~Cheng Pan Chiao

Has Autumn stepped through the gate
and entered your world?
Are you walking through fallen leaves
that crunch under your feet?
Are the colors a blaze of oranges and reds?
How do you celebrate this vibrant
blaze of glory before we tuck into the darkness
of winter?

I am walking and noticing what I notice.
Delighting in these crisp, but sunshiny days.
Savoring hot apple cider or chocolate
and thinking of warm soups and stews.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends!
Go out and listen to that crunch of leaves.
Wrap a woolen scarf around your neck.
Come home to something warm in the tummy. 

Picture taken recently at Lan Su Chinese Gardens