Autumn (fall season, from September 22 to early November) can be a metaphor for transformation that takes place in nature as well as in our personal lives. Autumn is a transition from the energetic summer to the upcoming lethargic and dormant winter. Witnessing from late September through November, the unobtrusive views of big, mature Magnolia, Dogwood, the Red Mulberry, and the Japanese maple trees surrounding our house are bursting in every autumnal shade imaginable. It is quite a transformation to watch a canvas of colorful leaves, changing from the vivacious green of summer to an array of red, orange, and yellow splendor. As if the trees wanted to “explode in a color show that ranges in hue from a bright, gleaming yellow to the deepest of scarlets.”
I find autumn to be a season of hope, a time for renewal, and evaluate what needs to change. Indeed, after the long winter, a new beginning will resurface in April of the following year. Autumn is also a time for taking an inventory of your life and setting realistic and achievable goals for yourself. On the same token, it is a good idea to reassess friendships and relationships. A handful of the misanthropists, and egotists might disagree with me. To such individuals autumn symbolizes a time to let go of a “fraught” relationship, when they simply can’t have the upper hand. It goes double for so called “friends.” Many do not bemoan the decision to let go no matter how hard you try to have a fresh start. You do it because of caring as well as thinking how much time you invested in that friendship. It is hard to deal with the complexities of friendship in adulthood. So, in order to save yourself from fallen grace, you remove yourself from that affiliation to save the day. Some people are not inclined to accept your genuine gestures, because pessimists look at life from a totally different perspective; they view everything as gloom and “doom.”
But a point to be noted is that the world does not revolve around one or two skeptics. There is so much in life to revel in than to drown in one’s misguided ego. Just like in nature, in our personal life as well, a relationship can change at a particular time and regress to a point of no return. With a few uncompromising people sometimes one has to close the chapters and start anew with others. Only then one can take a chance for a new beginning to unfold. Just as we know that autumn will be followed by the winter as we wait in anticipation for the arrival of spring. It’s all about having hopes alive that something better awaits.
In the above paragraph, I hope I was not sounding condescending or melancholic. I know very well that we do not live in a fool’s paradise. Every year, autumn comes bearing an invitation to accept the changes in my personal life in addition to the natural surroundings. Autumn welcomes me with open arms to experience new things, to dream, and to hope. Letting go of the negative feelings toward anyone and creating space for my personal growth can be the best gift I can offer myself. It is a very liberating feeling to comprehend that autumn is transient. As the colors of the leaves changes; it is very much in alignment with life’s journey as our time here on earth is impermanent. The sooner we realize it and accept it the better we are in the long run. That way we can enjoy our time in nature’s full glory and co- exist with all creatures that God put on this earth. A realization of such magnitude allows us to savor every moment in life, and find splendor in nature.
Fall is also about reconnecting with my inner-self and to nourish the soul. Spending solitary time with one’s own-self is imperative. One has to accept, embrace, and reflect on all the changes in and around us. We need to ponder on the deep questions about life’s cycles and prepare ourselves for the future by organizing for the upcoming seasons. Since moving to suburban Maryland, I try to achieve some of that by taking an hour-long walk every day in and around my neighborhood. As I listen to the rustling sound of the fallen leaves under my feet, I see the changes that are taking place in nature. With each step I rediscover myself.
Such realization comes daily as I reflect and enrich my inner self. Around me, I see all the leaves are turning into a kaleidoscope of bright red, orange and yellow hue. My thoughts are filled with existential questions, curiosity, and normal observations that are taking place in nature. For example, this fall, I have been seriously thinking every time I spot a squirrel looking for acorns, seed, or a fruit under a tree as to why a squirrel is always alone? The tree squirrels are very visible wildlife in the cities and suburbs but always solitary.
They roam in backyards and neighborhood parks looking for food. They do have a knack for mischiefs though. But how come it is never with a mate or friends? Are they anti-social animals? That question has been dominating my thoughts for the last couple of days. I asked people at home whether they had noticed this about a squirrel. No one ever noticed anything like that was the answer. But in order to not make me feel uncomfortable I was told that it is an interesting observation. By now, my immediate family members are not surprised by such a line of questioning about nature and its inhabitants, nor do they think it is pure idiosyncrasy.
Therefore, feeling encouraged and to confirm, yesterday, I again looked for a tree squirrel during my walk. Sure enough, I saw one looking for food and climbing the tree branches as soon as it saw me trying to take a shot with my phone. I was faster than the squirrel and I got a clear shot. Then five minutes later on another neighborhood tree I saw a bigger and slightly darker shaded one than the first (as they come in many varieties.) It seemed pretty harmless and was also lonesome. This one ran away by doing some acrobatics and tail movements and disappeared deep into the bushes before I could come closer.
After coming home I searched for answers by asking google. Sure thing, an adult tree squirrel that I often see lives alone except in the winter. They sometimes nest together and store their food ahead of the winter months. Mystery solved.
Fall symbolisms are everywhere as it is a special time for most people in the East Coast. Usually, in mid to late October when nature is at its full glory, we usually go on a drive to the Shenandoah National Park in Northern Virginia. Virginia is an epic destination to see fall colors for the locals and visitors. Driving from Great Falls into Shenandoah via Skyline Driveis a quintessentially American experience that people are attracted to. Along the way, you see quaint little towns that stand as a testament of a bygone era. Such places once were pivotal to this country’s history. The scenic route opens from the wooded park entrance into world-class views, especially in the autumn. “During the autumn days these majestic hills are blanketed in fall’s warm, calming color tones of many shades.” In an ‘average’ year the peak of fall is at its finest in the middle to the third week of October. There were a couple of times we went a week late only to discover that all the leaves had fallen to the ground looking like huge confetti.
Passing through the pristine part of the Blue Ridge Mountains to see the autumn colors, dramatically changes one’s mood. You feel jubilant and joyful. In scenic Virginia, the color green continues to fade away from the landscape along the mountains. All we see is different shades of brown and yellow and sometimes with a touch of different color. In the mix one can suddenly see a bright red tree standing tall. All the leaves are about to fall with the slightest change in temperature. Going through the mountainous route one can see an assortment of Chestnut, Red Oak, Hemlocks, Spruce, Dogwood and Evergreens on both sides. “The breathtaking views of beautiful shades of gold, pumpkin, auburn, yellow and orange are in perfect synchronization, suited for the autumn season.”
In September, after all the summer annuals and perennials are dead, the wildflowers still bloom. Suddenly, the fall colors begin to appear: “first the Virginia creeper, and toward the end of the month the black gum – both a rich, deep red.” By then, the leaves of the maples are different shades of yellow, gold, and red. Along the drive on the forest path other than maples you see oak, and hickory. The oaks and hickories turn dark brick-red, or yellow-orange. Before falling they turn brown which are not very pretty to look at. At lower elevation these trees at the peak time produce a very colorful display, and viewers get down taking pictures.
Marylanders do not have to go to the adjoining states to enjoy the transformation of the leaves into bright colors. Here, we have many National Parks dominated by Oak and Hickory forests. Fredericksburg’s heritage district transforms all the tress and they stay like that well into November. It is a favorite place for the hikers to hike along the Appalachian Trail. The trail is stunning in fall.
On a side note: Autumn is deeply personal on many levels. It is about celebrating important birthdays in my family. It is also about mourning the passing of my father on my birthday of all days! My daughter’s and my birthday falls on the same date – a month apart. We live in different time zones now from our daughter. Therefore, she cannot always fly home on her special day. Therefore, fall is slightly a bitter-sweet time for me and my family. The little sadness attached to the season quickly passes as we celebrate birthdays and many other things within the span of two months. There are many other endless chores that come to our attention in the fall. We need to make frequent trips to the local nursery to get outside fall foliage. Before that we had to pull and throw away all the dried up flowers, and derbies that the summer had left behind. Fall is also about getting more indoor plants so that there is some greenery to look at except the evergreens that line up the property. Fall is also about feeling loved and cherished by my family. A couple of days ago, upon returning from the post office, I found a tiny pewter box, unassuming and plain on the kitchen table. Inside, a small sterling silver pendant with a special date engraved.
There is a happy buzz in my neighborhood as the Youth Sports begins in the fall to develop young area athletes. The little leagues play soccer on Saturdays in the park (a community park) across from my backyard during the fall. Parents join in unison to provide support and encouragement. They come with a car trunk full of lunch coolers to enjoy and mingle right after the game.
A festivity (on October 31st) in the fall known as Halloween signifies birth, death, and rebirth. (My religion does not instruct me not to appreciate or celebrate it.) In the spirit of the season, an exciting part is getting ready for the occasion. It is a semi- religious festival which originated during the time of Celtics’ belief. (Celts were a collection of tribes who were traced back to Western Europe. Later, migration took them to other parts of Europe.) Halloween essentially means the end of the summer and the beginning of a dark, cold winter. There is something spooky about it. The Celts believed that on the night of Halloween all the dead spirits roam the earth and revisit their old homes. In other words, on that night the line between the living and the dead becomes blurred. Thousands of centuries later such a belief went away, but young and old alike love to dress up in their favorite costumes as witches, ghosts, and goblins. Basically, it is known as a mischief night. A few days back, I spent a couple of hours decorating the outdoors with a few pumpkins and Halloween trinkets. I am not into ghosts and goblins. I got a few bags of candies and sweet treats for the neighborhood kids. They will come wearing costumes, and knock on my door as they will be out doing Trick or Treating with parents alongside.
Autumn / fall are animated with joie de vivre. The crunching sound of dried fallen leaves under one’s shoes, the cracking sound of roasted pecans, hazelnuts, area kids picking chestnuts from under a tree, and the rich flavor of pumpkin soup coming from a neighbor’s kitchen — these are all part of autumn symbolisms. Autumn for me also signifies reliving through some of the Nazrul and Tagore songs as both had found beauty in the impermanence of life. Two of my recent favorites are: a) A Nazrul geeti sung by Nupur Goon Dhar in her melodic voice / Kar nikunje raat kataye ashle prate puspho chor… b)From Tagore’s selection of Bhanusimha Thakurer Padabali sung in the soulful voice of Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta / Maran’re tuhu mamo shyam saman…
Zeenat Khan respectfully dedicates the above column to Binu Mathew, editor of Countercurrents. Mathew truly has been an exceptional editor to work with since she became a CC contributor (2017 – present.) She writes from Maryland, USA
