Tilt of the planet

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the dark summer forest lightens as our planet circles about the sun and slowly begins to tilt the other way to bring a change of season. Exhausted summer leaves drop and begin to accumulate, brown and dry upon the forest floor. Walking seems easier in the airy forest.

Here and there among the leaves above and below spots of color no longer green capture my gaze. More and more sunflecks pierce the thinning canopy, shining slow-moving spotlights upon a forest floor that for weeks and weeks has been mostly dark.Cottonwood leaves are dull and faded green up in the trees. Occasionally a rusty red sassafras leaf adds a brighter note on the floor. And in places you'll see tulip poplar leaves as yellow as any school bus or child's rain slicker.

It is becoming impossible not to think of autumn days ahead.