Autumn - Looking Back

In anticipation of a true New England Autumn, I wanted to start with a look back at what I've documented about Houston's ever-changing weather...


FALL

October 17
Each year I’m stunned by the passion of Winter,
by Summer’s annual defiance
He sends scouts south, coming abrupt and chill
to test Summer’s courage
Does she fight strongly
or will she retreat for a better time?

Two fronts — warm versus cold
clash over The Woodlands.
Downtown stands shrouded in a grey mist
as I drive home this evening
The grey gauze muffles the traffic’s bustle
providing quick glimpses of the buildings’ upper portions
playing hide and seek with the motorists crawling home.

And the air clings to my hair, my clothes
beads of moisture appearing on my skin.
Summer is slipping away
leaving me to shrouded buildings, greyed heavens
and weeping air
as Downtown mourns the season’s passage.

October 31
Because here we have no Fall
no Autumn to mark Summer’s passage
No gradual phase
to frozen nights from steamy evenings

A golden, harvest moon illuminates the warm Halloween night.
Jack’s candle gutters in the moist air
goblins and princes frolick in
lightweight cotton.

Yet a clammy breeze ruffles a young witch’s gown
and fog gathers at dawn
Unseen above, ducks call to one another
An unwelcome herald of the Cold to follow.


November 26
But Summer can’t be gone already.
I want to attend one more baseball game
I want one last walk through the surf
I would like one more hot day to
soak in the sun’s rays
before the chill of the plains settles in.

Yet always I miss my chance.

So give thanks tonight for the nippy tang in the air,
it will last no longer than the sunrise.
The first frost comes tomorrow:

December 1
As September melted into November this year
We put a new message on the machine
With Don Henley mourning summer’s passage in the background.
Already I’ve moved my lightweight clothing to the back of my closet
To make room for plaids in flannel and wool
Boots step up while sandals slide back

Yes, the Cold has come.
And, caught unaware, I wonder yet again
How I missed the Fall.