Jonesing for true autumn

I grew up in New England
Where the forests come alive
For just a while in October

The leaves turn colours
Unimaginable
Lighting mountainsides on fire

And so when autumn brings
Her colours to other places
I am reminded of my onetime home

No matter the beauty of the scene, I think
Well, that’s not so bad for here
It does not satisfy my yearning

Highway 211
Approaching Newspaper Rock National Monument
Utah, United States of America

Taken during travels, 2009

This is a response to Jennifer Nichole Wells’ One Word Photo Challenge. The challenge this week is, Autumn.

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1

J Lapis on Oct 18, 2015 at 6:31 pm
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Lovely writing. I’ve mostly forgotten, but I’m certain Minnesota–where I spent part of my childhood–is as you describe, with 4 rich seasons.

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- 2
  
  Patrick Jennings on Oct 18, 2015 at 8:23 pm
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  I’ve seen autumn in a lot of places — though not Minnesota. Still, I’ve not experienced anywhere quite like the White Mountains of New Hampshire, or the Green Mountains of Vermont for a pure explosion of colour — predominantly maple, birch and oak.
  
  Not to say colours aren’t wonderful elsewhere. Just… something a bit extra-special about fall in New England. 🙂
  
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  - 3
    
    J Lapis on Oct 18, 2015 at 9:12 pm
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    In Minn, our backyard was still birch “forest” (a new development, so fairly unspoiled at the time). I’ve not been to New England, but all the photos agree with you 🙂
    
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    - 4
      
      Patrick Jennings on Oct 18, 2015 at 9:53 pm
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      Birch is such an exquisite yellow in fall. But what really sets the woods on fire is the sugar maple, which goes all orange and red. Then there’s the deeper reds of the oak. Splendid stuff.
      
      Then you put a colonial-era white church steeple poking out of the colours, or a red-painted covered bridge across a river in which multi-coloured leaves are drifting by, and, well, perfection. : )
      
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      - 5
        
        J Lapis on Oct 18, 2015 at 10:13 pm
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        I’d forgotten the yellow leaves of birch–I love their white and black trunks.
        
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- 6
  
  Patrick Jennings on Oct 18, 2015 at 8:24 pm
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  Oh… and thanks!
  
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  - 7
    
    J Lapis on Oct 18, 2015 at 9:10 pm
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    Most welcome.
    
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8

Dancing Echoes on Oct 18, 2015 at 8:42 pm
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Fall is the season I miss the most in FL. You are right on with the New England colors. My first memories are of Massachusetts and then In the 80’s I lived in Maine for almost 4 years. Nothing compares.
For some reason I thought you were originally from Australia?

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- 9
  
  Patrick Jennings on Oct 18, 2015 at 8:54 pm
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  <smile> Sometimes, I think I lived a past life there. Possibly as an Aboriginal. That could just be white-fella romanticising a deep affinity for a place.
  
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  - 10
    
    Dancing Echoes on Oct 18, 2015 at 9:05 pm
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    Ha! I felt like that in Maine and Nova Scotia.
    
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    - 11
      
      Patrick Jennings on Oct 18, 2015 at 9:09 pm
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      : ) I wonder if we all have places like that.
      
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12

janemorley2014 on Oct 19, 2015 at 1:46 am
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Glorious shot and beautiful words Patrick. I used to think – England (the Old one not the New!) was unbeatable for autumn but we have fabulous colours and changes here in south west France too, I think it’s one of the richest and most beautiful seasons wherever you find yourself 🙂

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- 13
  
  Patrick Jennings on Oct 19, 2015 at 7:32 am
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  There is simply something about autumn. Maybe it’s the mode of the season… everything and everyone preparing for winter, the transition from being outside as much as possible to curling up with fires and heaters going inside. Fun food to comfort food. All that. The way all of nature is doing the same thing.
  
  Like a cat kneading a cushion with its claws to make a bed for itself, just before it takes a long winter’s nap.
  
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  - 14
    
    janemorley2014 on Oct 19, 2015 at 7:37 am
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    Yes Patrick, I also like to think that in autumn nature presents us with her last show of riches before laying down for the winter; not the flashy youthful show of spring and summer but a rich mellow beauty to last us through the darker months.
    
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    - 15
      
      Patrick Jennings on Oct 19, 2015 at 8:08 am
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      <smile>
      
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16

I of July on Oct 19, 2015 at 6:16 am
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can’t say much other than that it’s impressive

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- 17
  
  Patrick Jennings on Oct 19, 2015 at 7:27 am
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  Thanks for sayin’ : )
  
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18

Autumn | pix to words on Oct 19, 2015 at 7:09 am
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[…] The first was Jonesing for True Autumn. […]

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19

Jennifer Nichole Wells on Oct 19, 2015 at 7:48 am
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I long for true autumn as well. Your words hit home.

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- 20
  
  Patrick Jennings on Oct 19, 2015 at 8:08 am
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  Mmmmm…. : )
  
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21

One Word Photo Challenge: Spring | Jennifer Nichole Wells on Oct 20, 2015 at 7:03 am
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[…] https://pixtowords.com/2015/10/18/jonesing-for-true-autumn/ […]

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