Summer dwindles down to almost nothing.
The familiar fragrance of fall invades the atmosphere.

August was the Sunday of Summer,
September is a Monday full of new beginnings.

Back to School commercials become reality.
World War III at Staples for the last pencil case
and everyone is excited to be back from break.
You can tell from the tiredness in their eyes
and the constant whining of wanting be be home.
Soon enough, September blows into October.

Forests become wonderlands.
The leaves shake off their green,
and dance into shades of bright yellow and vibrant orange.

Pumpkins scatter across the plains.
Begging to be picked,
desiring a knife cutting into their blank canvas.

Typical, last minute trips to the knock-off Party City down the street
mold into “Black Friday hunts” for the perfect costume.
The terrors of October,
bleed into the warmth and comfort of November.

It’s almost the time to keep stock on ugly sweaters,
almost the time when turkey vanishes from local Shop-Rites,
almost time to reconnect with loved ones.

And when it’s time to catch another breath,
the first flecks of snow rest on a bed of concrete
not sticking just yet. 
November is ready to hibernate,
December is awakening.

But until there’s a sign that winter is coming,
that the warm and comforting air is turning ice cold,
Summer is debris to the wind.
All there is left is fall.