The leaves are beginning to change colors and the air now has a crispness that it didn’t have before. Autumn has arrived. Yet while people debate whether they like autumn or if pumpkin spice is overrated, Harriet S. Caswell, in her commentary “Thoughts on Autumn,” draws attention to the many lessons that autumn bestows on those willing to listen.
Fading Flowers
Caswell points out that as the leaves begin changing color and as the flowers drop to the ground, autumn suddenly impresses one with the fact that time is passing. This realization of the passage of time gives rise to remembrance of times past, contemplation of the present moment, and consideration for the future.Even though many different fruits and vegetables reach their peak ripeness in autumn, this season still ushers in many sobering and important thoughts. Caswell wrote: “This season is suggestive of thoughts and feelings which are not called forth by any other; standing, as it were, a pause between life and death.” In the cusp of fall’s ripeness, death and decay occurs.
