The small cloud of vapor looked roughly like a dinosaur, and then was gone. Soft caramel lips curled into a crescent moon, closing for a few moments for opening again, releasing another puff of air. It swirled and shifted- before disappearing again. The light blue sky eating it up greedily. She looked around, enjoying herself. The park was not as full as it usually would be, but there were still kids running around and people walking their dogs. The grass was short and crunchy under feet, leaves decorating the ground much like a child with sprinkles. The sun was partially hidden, giving her caramel skin a soft warm glow. Pawsteps crunched leaves and she looked over to find a giant black wolf-dog bounding up to her and she smiled, taking her caramel hands and dipping them into the black fur.
"Hey Josh." She whispered, rubbing the spot behind his ears just as he liked it, and looked around. The trees were dyed the most beautiful colors- ranging from a milky yellow to the bloody reds. Josh waited patiently, laying at her feet, his head still coming up to her waist as she sat down. She loved her big dog, especially her wolf-dog. She listened to the twinkling sound of children laughing and dogs barking, and she breathed in the autumn air. The wind was blowing softly, rustling the leaves. She loved how the colors echoed each other in harmony, how the wind blew through the leaves like a blow dryer through hair, and her favorite was probably all of it. She enjoyed watching the leaves decorate her yard, and she enjoyed raking them up to let Josh dive through them. She enjoyed walking on the leaves, hearing the crunch as some of the dry leaves broke under her feet. The temperature was just right, she could wear her favorite sweater and never have to take it off.
Fall was the only season that wasn't tarnished with sadness in her life. Winter carried the breeze of depression and sadness that came with death, Summer came with the stink of pressure and desperation, and Spring came with the odor of deceit and lies.
But Fall, Autumn, was perfect. The cocoa with whip cream with a light sprinkle of coffee dust, the sweaters that were too big but so warm. Fall was a beautiful time to be alive, and if it were up to her, she'd make herself a god if only to make one season, fall. The sun shined bright and everyone seemed to be in a nicer mood, more open to making conversations and helping a lonely woman be... not so lonely.
Fall was peaceful, like the eye of the storm. It carried no ill intent and in her little bubble, no one else carried ill intent either, and that was enough for her. All the lies and grief and anger disappeared in fall, and she felt like her old self. Social and happy, relaxed, and she didn't feel the pressing need to accomplish anything. Everything she did was of her own free will, her own consent applied to everything. She looked down at her hands, one hand had found a way into Josh's fur, and she smiled, her eyes catching the gleam on her hand. It was a smooth silver ring with her name written across it in calligraphy, and she had to remind herself.
She now loved fall for another reason. Because she didn't have ot make herself feel less lonely, she made others feel less lonely. Her fiance had made Fall even better, if that were even possible.
Fall was the time to be happy, to be in love and joyous.
Because Autumn was the years last smile.
Autumn, the years last, loveliest smile. -William Cullen Bryant678Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qMk74JAI1
