Cat on the pillow next to me
dog at the foot of the bed
sounds of the rain
and the woods outside my window
October begins
with the promise of autumn

Autumn has long been
my favorite season
my October birthday
no doubt the cause
as nature takes a measured breath
between the excesses of summer
and winter's extremes

In the woods
damp leaves soften our steps
on the gravel between
a flurry of fall flowers
seeking to entice the bees
and butterflies
and mushrooms are everywhere

this verdant place
awash with life
in all her wondrous forms
this gift of being
never to be taken
lightly
or for granted