Roberta Wilcox

AUTUMN

Autumn, I earnestly await your arrival.
To watch the changing of the leaves
From green to vibrant reds,
Shimmery golds and liquid oranges
Leave me breathless.
The crisp morning breeze upon my face
Holding just a hint of Winter's approach
Brings a shivery tingle to my skin.

McIntosh apples, yam casseroles, smoked hams,
Cranberries, acorn squash and homemade fudge.
Fried greenbeans, candied sweet potatos and banana pudding.
Venison stew thick with our own garden vegetables.
Biscuits smothered with honey or pumpkin butter.
Good country eating.
Harvest, the time when Man reaps what he sowed.
Autumn, when God Blesses the fruit of Man's labor.

Days become shorter while nights grow cooler.
The aroma of hickory and cedar logs swirling on wisps of smoke
Rise into the atmosphere to tantalize our senses.
Inhaling deeply the perfumes of nature.
The scents of vanilla and cinnamon simmering on the stove.
Awaken the memories of 'Home'.
Memories that wrap themselves
Like a warm comforter around our hearts.

Flannel linens replace cotton.
Lightweight blankets of summer are stowed in the chest.
Mink and fleece throws appear at the foot of the beds.
Mums are blooming in the garden.
Cattails poke their heads out of the murky waters of the lake.
They stretch reaching for the sky.
Pecans fall from the trees in the Churchyard
To grace our holiday desserts.

Mike's Farm waits on the outskirts of town.
The wagons blanketed with hay
Waiting to take us into the Pumpkin Patch.
Where we choose our special pumpkins
For breads, pies, custards and pumpkin soup.
Surrounded by gourds, dried stalks, scarecrows,
Colorful Indian corn and pine cones
The most beautiful take center stage in our Thanksgiving displays.

Clothed in jackets, hats and gloves.
Huddling together against the chill night.
We sing songs around the great bonfire.
Roast hotdogs and marshmallows.
Drink hot chocolate, spiced cider and flavored coffee.
Devour pans of sweet cornbread.
Chomp on caramel apples.
The planning of our Thanksgiving Feast begins.

New clothes, new shoes, fresh haircuts.
School pictures taken for the memory of a new year.
Children making turkeys out of their handprints.
Counting the days till Christmas vacation.
Secrets being whispered in the shadows.
Craft projects that will become gifts
Are stowed in bottom drawers.
Hidden waaaay in the back of closets.

Family coming together on Friday nights.
A hearty meal prepared and shared.
Games played at the dining room table.
We cuddle on the couch, in the dark.
Watching favorite movies.
We pop popcorn, eat popcorn, string popcorn.
When we are exhausted with the eating and stringing of popcorn
We THROW popcorn at each other!!

Autumn, I earnestly await your arrival.
You bring with you an abundance of memories.
Heart - warming memories of the Family that was.
The dream of what the Family could be.
Hearts swollen with love, giggles and laughter.
Family gathered around the hearth.
Joined arm in arm, heart to heart.
Autumn I welcome you... most earnestly!

By Roberta Wilcox
10-2003