Pirouetting Autumn
by Mark R Slaughter
The tree blushed - a rude blast of air
Betrayed a shapely bough.
My saddened heart aware
That Nature's clock was chiming,
I froze upon the twelfth
Clanging tone, caught alone,
Staring at a creaking door -
Left ajar for dancing, coloured Autumn,
Pirouetting in her leaves,
While agitated summer creatures
Backed away resignedly,
Sighing in protracted breves.
I turned; gave company;
We stood together, watching
Summer slowly blow away.
In honor of Autumn being here finally and the air around us cooling down to crisp winds and sweater weather I decided to do a little tag I found on Tumblr. It's meant to be a daily challenge but hey, why not just make it a Autumn tag?
1. Your favorite fall drink?
My favorite drink during this time of year is Pumpkin Spice latte or just regular tea. At home I drink tea regularly and the cooler weather allows me to indulge in it. But when I'm out, I always go for a pumpkin spice latte. No matter where I am. It's an acquired taste but I love it.
2. Your favorite fall food?
Favorite fall food was actually hard to choice...I went with vegetable or tomato soups. They're my go to meal when I'm cold from the walk home from class or work. It's such a filling meal and it warms you up!
3. Your fondest memory of fall?
Going to pumpkin patches as a kid and going on hayrides. I can't remember the places name but we went every year until I was 11 I believe. I just remember it being such an overwhelmingly fun experience every year even though it was always the same thing.
4. Your favorite part about fall?
The weather is honestly my favorite part. I like bundling up in sweaters and scarves, it's a comforting feeling. And the beauty of the leaves changing colors makes the world seem like such a colorful place.
5. Your favorite fall tunes?
I don't have a specific song for the fall season, but one song I'm in love with recently is Supersoaker by Kings of Leon. I've been a fan of KOL since day one and I couldn't be more excited that they're back with new music.
6. Your favorite fall outfit?
My favorite outfits during this season always involve boots and scarves paired with skinny jeans or leggings and skirts. Comfort and warmth are my main top priorities when dressing during the brisker weather.
7. Your favorite Halloween movie?
Hocus Pocus hands down. It probably sounds incredibly lame because over all the scary movies out there I choose a Disney film. But come October 1st when it begins playing on television I will watch this movie repeatedly. It never gets old to me and it holds a sentimental value for me.
8. Your favorite Halloween candy?
Reese's Peanut Buttercups are my addiction. Most people for this would say candy corn. I think that's the standard answer because it's the only seasonal candy really but I'm not the biggest fan.
9. Your favorite fall activity?
Just taking walks I suppose. I don't have much of a choice for this. I live in the city. Very little trees so I can't even say jumping in leaves or things like that.
10. Do you prefer Halloween or Thanksgiving?
Besides the family time, I've always preferred Halloween. I like scaring myself with a good spooky movie and seeing people dress up and release their inner child.
11. Apple cider or hot chocolate.
Apple Cider all the way. It's silly, but I reserve hot chocolate for the winter time. When the air is so chilly and peppermint is in season. A nice cup of hot chocolate and peppermint just oozes Christmas.
12. Candy corn or regular corn?
This seems like such an odd comparison just because they both have corn in their names? Corn. Corn on the cob is a staple meal when it's in season.
13. Your favorite fall scent?
I bought this last year during a trip to Bath and Body Works and I fell in love with the sent. It's a musky kind of scent that just smell amazing. I've yet to go back this year and see if it is a reoccurring sent or if it was limited addition.
14. Your favorite fall candle?
The scent of the candle just makes your house smell like the holiday seasons are approaching. Really any of Bath and Body Works candles for each season smell amazing.
15. Your favorite fall sweater?
My favorite sweaters during the season are slouchy, over sized sweaters that I can pair with scarves. I don't actually have a specific favorite or I'd picture it above.
16. Do you go to corn mazes, pumpkin patches or both?
I don't anymore but I used to go to a place about an hour away from where I lived that had pumpkin patches and mazes as well as hayrides.
17. What are you going to be for Halloween?
I wish I knew! I'm always so last minute when I decide on a costume. I'm thinking maybe buying my costume from the Harry Potter website and being a Hogwarts student. Or just using my fall back costume of putting in my vampire teeth and painting my face with a pale foundation.
18. Do you go trick-or-treating?
Not anymore. At the age of 16 I stopped going because greedily the people in the town where I lived stop giving candy out to the older kids. It was a bit of a let down getting dressed up to go get candy and not getting any.
19. Do you go to haunted houses?
Very few. I don't like the intensity of them anymore. Small haunted houses are fine by me, but the last time I went, the level of scare was far more than I could handle. I'm a bit of a chicken.
20. Do you watch scary movies? If so what are your favorites?
Yes I do! I watch way too many when October comes around. My favorites are Carrie (I'm so excited for the new remake with Cloe Grace Moretz), Trick 'r Treat, Dracula, Sleepy Hollow, Psycho and Poltergeist.
21. Do you prefer roasting marshmallows around the campfire or cooking sausages?
Roasting Marshmallows. I don't ever eat the s'mores I make because I'm not a fan of marshmallow but I love making them!
*Images courtesy of Google images. If you see an image that is yours and would like it removed or credited, please kindly let me know.
