Because the plane doesn’t leave Toronto
until 6 p.m., I have time for a lazy lie-in,
rising to find the cute red teapot cozied
and waiting (your tea is ready, Sue’s
sweet note says every day of my visit),
and, after a shower, one last walk
in the woods beyond the pond. After
last night’s rain sent more leaves
to join their fallen brethren on the path,
I feel my shoes soften into the damp,
notice reds underfoot streaked with
branch bits, maple leaf yellows dirtied.
But I inhale the petrichor that such
welcomed rain brings, the day-after
smell missed for weeks by growing
things here—unusually dry for fall,
though common in my part of this
continent. A night’s precipitation
makes for lovely walking weather
through these woods, dark and deep,
as I remember hiking here yesterday,
following Sue and Whiskey around
the nearly 500 acres they steward,
Whiskey eager to tree a red squirrel
zipping across the leafy carpet. Today,
alone on the path, I bid au revoir to
the pond where otters hunt and
beavers build. Until we meet again,
I whisper to this place, as magical
to me as Walden was for Thoreau,
a sweet bit of peace I will carry
with me to the land of little rain
I call home.
Güd wrtr 
Wow! Look at that final picture – the leaves look like a river. I love the play on words in the title because of the focus on fall. Leaving.
You are welcome in this bit of Walden any time my dear! The teapot will always be waiting, as will the mint in the garden, ready to give up its fragrance for your nighttime drink. xoxo
Oh, let’s make that a prompt: “the mint in the garden, ready to give up its fragrance for your nighttime drink.” Heaven! Thank you for sending mint home with me… and you’re right, the leaves do look like a river!
P.S. I love how much this poem and so many of the other poems on this site are also a gratitude practice!!
You are so right! I have lots to be grateful for… not least you, dear friend!
Hi Jan,
<
div>
<
div>Thanks for gifting us with a classic Autumn and red teapot. So different than our fall here
I can imagine that Texas must have a very different kind of fall! Let’s connect soon!
I love the landing of this poem,
a sweet bit of peace I will carry
with me to the land of little rain
I call home.
Thanks so much, Amrita!
Beautiful photos! I also love the play on “Leaving.”
Thanks so much, Louise! The title popped in just before I posted it… oh, duh! Love when that happens!
Beautiful pictures, inviting us to a peaceful place, wherever it may appear! I love the word “petrichor” AND it’s scent. Our Aspen trees are turning golden now and I have taken several hikes in the high country to enjoy their beauty and peace.
Love, ~Connie
Oh, your golden aspens must be glorious! Thanks for your kind comment and making me think of you hiking among the lovely aspens in your rocky mountain high region!