On Monday I found a top that I hadn't worn before, and wore that with leggings and boots. A teacher at school told me I looked summery, and I said 'no, this top is autumn'. It is made of a million shades of brown, interlinked with golds and oranges, the colour of leaves and sunset. It is a summer top in the way it is cut, but aside from that it is autumn.
Yesterday when I caught the bus home from my friend's I had to wait ages at the second stop. It grew chilly, and suddenly I found myself craving hot chocolate, which I don't usually drink. When I finally got on the bus I was surprised at how much easier it was to read my book- it was only then that I realised how dark it was.
Today I wore my multi-coloured jumper again; the one that needs chilly weather, because it requires a top underneath or it's too scratchy. It wasn't quite the weather for it today, a little too hot after all, but once I'd rolled the sleeves up it was fine. It's second-hand from a charity shop, but initially handmade I think- no label and a little shapeless, but beautiful and unique and something people always compliment me on. It's a good jumper to wear, even if it's scratchy.
All of these things might seem isolated, but they're not, they're part of a much bigger picture. The seasons are changing, the leaves are falling. Autumn is rolling in like the mist by Cassandra's castle, except it isn't really sad. It's hopeful- it speaks of jumping in leaves and puddles, and the world as seen through oranges and browns and reds. It's the nights drawing in, meaning long evenings to read and cuddle up and admire how beautiful artificial lighting can be. Soon there'll be the soft glow of candles in pumpkins, and then the brilliance of fireworks above our heads, sparklers in our hands. Autumn is here and it is beautiful.