Fading Fall

This morning, after the drenching rain of yesterday afternoon and evening has ended, we wait for the sun's return. Most of the city trees have lost their leaves. Certainly the maples are long gone. Just off of Danforth Street, however, this bright golden tree is captured in some morning sunlight. Leaves- wonderful in the spring rain as their buds break forth, gently swaying and providing a welcomed respite in summer heat, so excitingly, almost 'on fire' in the fall but come the middle of November they are a curse! One of my jobs on Stevens this time of year, pre-Turkey Day, was ridding the yard of leaves. Afternoons and evenings, the overwhelming aroma was of piles of burning leaves. We raked them into the driveway or into the street in front of the house and set them on fire. That's a 'no no' today! Life was so simple back then.
In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
-By Robert Louis Stevenson