I’m Ready
I’m ready for the crisp morning air,
the anticipation of the season’s first frost
for the goldenrods, cranberries, rusts
brilliant scenic drive foliages
for the season of huddled-up togetherness
I’m ready for cedar-scented candles
filling the house with wooded fragrance
for the warmth of fires
and the core-warming of roasted red pepper soup
simmering on the stove to be
served with buttered toast,
for the tart sweet taste of hot spiced tea
gifted in a mason jar, the kind with Tang
that has graced every autumn since the 1970s
and a cinnamon broom propped on the hearth
I’m ready for frigid breezes through open windows
the sounds of football on tv
that nobody’s watching
and a skein of woolen yarn running endless left turns
like a NASCAR race on a hat knitting ring
I’m ready for cardigans and puffy vests
for scarves and ankle boots
and driving through Starbucks
for a Dulce de Leche with cinnamon
and light whipped cream
and the certainty of pumpkin spice coffee creamer
in the grocery cooler sparking
a smile pandemic!
I’m ready for dogs feeling frisky outside
struck with sudden bursts of Zoomies
– their language of joy in the soul,
doing their best not to sprint
through the asters.
I’m ready for the Hobby Lobby decor
for the fall wreath hung on the door
for the table centerpieces and plaid dish towels
for gold throw pillows and rag quilts
and scarecrow contests
on the town square and foil-wrapped loaves
of warm pumpkin bread
all labeled and lined up on the counter,
ready to be delivered
I’m ready for a festival, behind a mask,
for shopping the craft booths
from a distance for three little matching Schnoodle sweaters
to wrap around my silly boys, my morning coffee porch swing mates
who like sweater weather, too
I’m ready for long shirts with leggings
and my ridiculous Sherpa-lined eggplant Floopis,
my hair twisted up in a scrunchy
and a day with no deadlines
I’m ready for fall –
for living life at its best!
Common Threads 