The summer sun sets in the west. The last ray of light illuminates autumn’s valley. In its darkening glow I remember, the sweet memories of summer. Days on the beach: dreaming of worlds as of blue skies. In anticipation for precipitation, we scurry back to our burrow. Walking with Cousin Isabelle, on the beach, feeling the water lap against our feet; Collecting shells of remembrance, and listening to their silent stories. Playing chess with cousin Alex and winning again and again... Reading above the crashing waves, beneath an infinite sky, sailing them in my mind and in the flesh. Running with cousin Hannah: fleeting breath stolen by cold morning air. The blue bird sings its last song, but its wings are chained. Autumn returns cloaked in darkness, and the rustle of falling leaves. In the darkening morning, I feel winter’s breath, on my neck and in my soul. I return to the Bard’s halls, and drink of the Pierian spring.
