Fall Tease

The last couple of days have been slightly mashed with the tease of fall. Slightly less humidity in the air and the smell of text books, pigskin and marching bands. It is still around 90 degrees here in Tampa but drier air really does make a difference.

There is a little more pep in everyone's step along with a slight curl of the lips that hints of a smile. I miss the fall season up north, but after 30 years down here I am beginning to appreciate the subtle changes of semi-tropical seasons.

We are not out of (said with a hush) "hurricane" season for another couple of months, but the end is in sight.

Still, as I am reminded of fall, I remember doing a lot of walking home on dark nights with a brisk breeze and too much movement of the dead and crispy fallen leaves.

Walking Home

06/18/11

I found a place that I’m not looking for

behind creaky doors, between cracks in the floor

In the dark recesses of a cold fall night

wind rustling dry leaves as I speed up my stride

Thinking I might be found out and exposed

like the emperor’s set of invisible clothes

“He has nothing for us after all,” I may hear,

left behind, ignored and alone I do fear

Is home a direction that gives me relief?

Do these memories cause me joy or just grief?

no rapture, no moments of glee to resound

If I speak and none listen do I make a sound?

Still I’m driven to walk these streets my mind knows

at the pace of a frightened boy running home