A messy season, fall, when you think of it.
“Fall,” of course, refers to the countless leaves browning and blowing from every limb of every deciduous shrub and tree.
The autumn winds sweep away every bit of what is tired, worn, and dying.
Of course, those same winds also pick up the downy seeds released by wildflowers.
They catch the seed filled pine cones and scatter them far from the mother tree.
Berries, seed pods, nuts and acorns all take flight on the wind, perhaps landing where they can thrust roots into moist and accepting soil, and grow.
Like monks sweeping away a completed Tibetan sand painting, nature has a hand in her own dissolution.
Vibrant greens gradually fade to reveal the essential golds and purples, scarlets and orange of the forest.
Then even these colors fade to brown and take flight, leaving only the structure of things behind.
Bare branches glow beneath their accumulations of lichen and moss, vines and animal nests; scars of lost branches and broken limbs revealed.
And it is still beautiful.
All of the essential parts remain.
Wind and rain, insects and worms work their magic all winter long, transforming all that has fallen to the Earth into the rich medium of life.
Dissolution, cleansing, transformation.
Stillness and rest.
Making way for new growth.
Words and Photos by Woodland Gnome 2014
Forest Garden 
What a quietly soothing post – both words and photos. You’ve brought acceptance to the turn of the seasons, revealing the perfection of nature. So lovely, esp. the shot with all that vibrant Virginia creeper.
It has been a beautiful week here, Eliza. Better to slip gracefully into winter, don’t you think? fighting it takes a lot of energy! May all be well with you, Best wishes, WG
Even though I know resistance is futile, every autumn there are still bits of me that want to kick and scream as we slip into November! One good thing about time going faster is that I know in a short while it’ll be spring again!
Beautifully worded as always. Yes it is a messy time but oh so beauteous and giving even while “falling”
Much love to you- and thank you 😉 So beautiful now, the clean up can wait a good long while 😉 See you tomorrow?