November is a month of contrasts. Days
early in the month are sunny, cool and bright. Gardeners hurry
to rake the leaves, tie up the branches and clear the flower
beds before the frost comes.
But late November is often drizzly and
bleak. The colours seem to drain from the grass and the sky.
The trees cast off their leaves and wait for the first dusting
of snow. Time to retreat indoors, curl up under a blanket and
read a good book.
Leaves
They say its the lack of chlorophyll
Caused by the frost and the short autumn days.
They say its the sugar trapped in the leaves
By the chill of the night and the sun's ebbing rays.
I say that its one of life's miracles
When nature takes part in a wonderful game,
As sumac and maple, dogwood and oak
Cast off their spring clothing and burst into flame.
