Fall

There's a chill in the morning air, even as the sun rises above the horizon
and traffic on the streets sounds different- like waves from the ocean.
I am flooded with emotions that defy any attempt at words
and the progression into fall reminds me
of the end of fire season,
reminds me
of losing my dad,
reminds me
of Christmas,
reminds me
of colder weather.
The cold edge of autumn tells me to hush, be still-
and I am subdued as memories are a kaleidoscope of colored glass
held up to the sun,
broken, disconnected, mirrored and rearranged
by the passage of time and the addition of new ones.
Leaves settled on the ground tell me
Breathe.
Hunker down.
Be silent.
My heart crouches in the shadows of memory
as I quiet my soul against the coming winter.
And I breathe.
Invariably
I breathe.