The Autumn Tree

I would start this blog post with a meandering, endless list of reasons why I haven't been here but 'lack of inspiration', 'on holiday', and 'just started sixth form' would be the ones reoccurring the most. Apologies to my readers for not updating for so long. Whilst I was in Cornwall, I was over inspired. Each tickle of the sea breeze on my cheeks and handful of ripe, oozingly juicy strawberries I stuffed into my mouth was inspiration. Each corner I turned, the sight took my breath away. Cornwall is my childhood holiday destination and even the smell of my grandparents' house brings tears to my eyes and conjures a lump in my throat.

Moving on from Cornwall, I want to talk to you about Autumn. Yes, my darlings, that beautiful season which I cherish more than any other time of the year. For some, Autumn arrives when it is announced. When the month of September begins, people begin to greet Autumn with the shake of a hand and a turn of the page of their calenders . For others, Autumn begins when the weather forecast begins to announce cold weather and rain, and they greet Autumn with a frown and the purchase of a new jacket. For me, Autumn begins when I notice a tree with its juicy green leaves brushed at the edges with a hint of red, and I greet Autumn with a skip in my step and a search for conkers.

Yesterday, I saw 'The Autumn Tree'. I was on the train on my way home on a scorchingly hot day. You could almost hear the beads of sweat dripping off people's noses and the waves of hot air attempting to circulate around the carriage gave up their pathetic attempts so the air hung thick and incredibly sticky. It seemed like Summer. Mid-Summer. Then, glancing out of the window, 'The Autumn Tree' caught my eye and a sudden chill shuddered through my body. Autumn had arrived.

This specific tree had the most glaringly bright green leaves it was almost impossible to imagine that Autumn was on its way, however just tickling the tips of these leaves were speckles of crimson. A burst of red on the edges that made the leaves seem as if they had just caught fire. I stared at this spectacular blaze until the train passed 'The Autumn Tree', dreams of playing conkers, devouring toffee apples, purchasing a beautiful knitted scarf all engulfed my brain and Summer began to go fuzzy around the edges. It was over, I declared. Autumn was beginning.

For me, Autumn always has been about beginnings. They say, people, that is, that Spring is all about new beginnings because new life springs up around us. Hence why it is called Spring. Ridiculous, in my opinion. Autumn is all about new beginnings. Each year, in the first days of September, bleary eyed children in over-sized uniform, clutching their bags and yawning as they make their way down the street, have a new beginning. Each year in Autumn, children begin again. They are wound up and recharged and are set off on a new adventure.

Then there are the trees, the ones which make Autumn as beautiful as it is. Trees begin the beginning of the end, if that makes sense? They burst into flames, each one of them, going from blood red, to golden, then curling into a chocolatey brown before falling off. The beginning of the end, the preparation for death, although morbid they prepare so beautifully that you're almost grateful they are about leave the earth for good because they will soon return, crisp and gentle and green, ready to go through the process again.

Autumn is my favourite season. It gives me the chance for another adventure, it smothers me in colours so bright that I wonder why darkened, tinted glasses are only used as sunglasses and not 'leafglasses' too. Perhaps someone should invent those, although why would you ever want to cover up what nature has offered to send you on your way to work and school with a beaming smile on your face? Autumn is cinnamon. Isn't it just? It tastes like cinnamon, smells like it, looks like it. Autumn should just be known as cinnamon, it is just that delicious.

I hope you all enjoy your Autumn and look out for the beauty it has to offer. Mother nature is being kind, softening the blow which is the death of all things around us. But then, once death arrives, it is coated in layers of sparkling snow and concealed behind the joys of Christmas trees and crackling fireplaces. Each season will give you something to smile about, you just have to look out for it.

Until next time which hopefully won't be too far away, dear reader,

Ayesha x