November Evening

November evenings offer muted colour; evergreens against the ghostly outline of deciduous trees.  The leafless trees, at rest for the winter, comfort me, give me permission to drop responsibilities, to focus inward and rest.  

To rest and let go.  

Rest and be.

Choke Cherry Tree

 

 

A few years ago, town street improvements killed our choke cherry trees.  In exchange, we received a wider paved street, curbs and a retaining wall, as our property was lower than the newly raised street.  Of course, we were billed from the town for these improvements, at a hefty rate per linear foot of frontage.  While the street was smoother, wider, prettier, there were no choke cherry trees.

Now they have returned.  I thought the roots were completely damaged from the backhoe chew-holes in our yard, but, no.  This year for the first time, the trees have grown enough to bear fruit. 

I took a photo or two, as I love the way sunlight shines on the berries and makes them so cheerful and rosy.  I could pick them but won't, much as I like choke cherry jelly.  There really aren't enough berries for that, not yet.  Perhaps another year there will be lots of fruit.

This year, I'm leaving the bounty to the birds in our yard.  They are watching closely and taking the ripest ones as they are ready. 

I have a sense of nature being as it should be again in our yard, with choke cherries glistening in the sun and a tree that was lost, returned.

Some days just feel so good.

In November

 

 

In November

When October's flames
die down
to the ash of November,
the trees lift bare fingers
to scratch at the sky
and reach to rip open
the pillows of cloud.

The snow feathers fly,
white down
soft, now soft 
in layer on layer.

And Earth heaves a sigh,
as she pulls
the covers
up to her chin.

Words and photo are copyright Carol Steel.