welcome to autumn

The forest was bare and chilly. I wandered alone.
But it’s funny; I don't feel alone. The barren leaves cycled excitedly around my feet as the chilling wind carried them like the river would a petal. Farther in the distance I heard a faint scrambling noise, and a chittering critter leapt out of the bushes to grab a small nut on the floor. The leaves up above shone a scattered light, its shadows leaving behind a calming shake of echo. I felt the morning dew brush up against my ankles, before soaking into my socks. Eventually, the vague dirt path covered in a blanket of leaves had stopped. At the end there was a small, old bench sitting atop a hill. It overlooked a lake, steadily flowing in sync with the leaves on the trees and the grass below my feet. As I moved closer to the bench, the windchill brushed against my face and gave my cheeks the shade of bright cherries.
My hand brushed up against the top of the bench, and a startling chill moved through my bones. After 3 months of a generous, warm sun, I’m always unprepared for the chill of autumn. Taking a moment, I reached out to the side and gently sat down. The lake gently reminded me it was there, giving a soothing swushh as it reached the soil it had touched a few seconds before. Occasionally a small bubble would make an appearance, rippling out; almost as if reaching out its hand and beckoning me to join it. I don't like water; but I can appreciate. A small leaf had fallen atop a tide, and it rode the water all the way to the end of the pond.
Welcome to autumn.