Moonlight Zen...

    The air was lightly cool with little movement from any breeze that barely moved the last of the autumn leaves.  Finally I found the time to have a bonfire of the downed tree branches from all the storms during the spring and summer months.  I had been looking forward to the great burn off of decrepit wood.  We had so much rain lately that it was hard to find a time when the wood was dry enough to catch fire when it was lighted. The day's plans had not worked out and I found that I was not accomplishing many of the tasks I had hoped to before the weather forces a halt to outside work. The rising moon was nearly full as it passed through the overhead trees.  Sapphire blue with wisps of deep pink clouds were the evening colors.  Surprisingly, the wood burned immediately and the bonfire became a reality.  Pulling a chair up to the fire, I sat watching it, tending it with my trusty rake to be sure all the stray branches were successfully burned.  It was good to sit in moonlight, looking into the fire and mulling over many things of past and present that were on my mind.  Fall is the time of year when we clear up the dead wood not only in our yard, but also in our minds.  This year was winding down, too fast for my taste.  While the fire continued to burn down to mostly hot coals and little evident flames I considered food and drink. Even though the coals were now ready for cooking, I quickly microwaved a potato, smothering it with butter and cheese. Comfort food. A hot mug of tea accompanied the potato as I brought them out to the fireside.  Cooking on the hot coals is much more more fun when you have someone to share the experience.  Fireside ponderings are like a short vacation for me.  All the happy place elements were there...comfort food, outdoor air enjoyed in a heavy sweater, a bonfire, moonlight, and the rich colors of the night skies.  There is something about that rich sapphire to midnight blue that stirs my creative being.  And of course, there was Mr. Moon silently gliding across the inky sky.  Not many more times like this left before the snows begin here in Ohio.  Perhaps that is why I savor such times like fine wine, knowing that as enjoyable as it is, there must be an end to the special treat.  There may be one more fire in the offing.  And just maybe someone will join me to burn a marshmallow or braise a hot dog one last time.  I hope so.  I'd like just one more dance in the moonlight before the snows come along to change the scene. 

                                 October
     The wind, blowing, soft and gently----
      And suddenly I felt it---
      That special something that told me,
              "Summer is over."
      Smell it!
         That's autumn in the air---
      It's September now, but you can smell October
          Only a whiff away.
     October---
          That necromantic month when witches come out to play.
          Spells work a little better,
          Apples taste a little tangier,
          And kisses from auburns spells magic in a gingery way.
          With Leo's sun having shone,
          Virgo's wheat just harvested,
           Libra sets the stage 
           For Scorpio's spicy moment.
      All Hallows Eve,
            Mardi gras of the macabre,
            Green sparkling spices of crushed henna and gold
      Painting a partying masterpiece,
            Strange legends compose.
      As the spell whirls 'round
           And peaks on the thirty-first,
      At midnight it fades in a puff of green smoke.
      With the party over
           There sits Scorpio, licking her fingers of the last sweet October taste,
            As it just finishing a cinnamon stick.
     But left in those eyes is a sparkle,
     Holding magic for another year
     Until again,
         The wind is blowing, soft and gently,
          And then...
      The first whiff of October
           Comes this way again.