Falling leaves

Autumn is here finally. The ginkgo trees in the north campus had turned into a beautiful shade of yellow, transforming the whole atmosphere. It feels ethereal, well almost, walking underneath those falling yellow leaves, walking on those fallen yellow leaves. That reminds me, I have to pick some up for my mum.



But the days have not been so kind lately; mostly gloomy or cloudy. When the sunlight manages to pierce through, it just lights up the whole place, bringing more colour to the world, more colour to my eyes.



Autumn also invokes those melancholy feelings; read most autumn poetries and you will see what I mean. They lament death or despair, they sing of sadness or regrets. Autumn signals the end of sunny summer days and the coming of cold, bleak winter.



As much as I love spring for bringing "life" back, I love autumn for its "death". It is strange to see so much beauty in the "death" of the leaves. Although I take much pleasure in this, I know that it is not permanent, and that come spring, the trees will burst to life again. But just for this moment, it is......beautiful.



Autumn days also brings to mind solitude. Sitting alone, surrounded by the falling leaves and the beauty that is before you, it is feels peaceful, it feels calm. In Kyoto, it is hardly that though, as hordes of tourists descend to this historical town to view the famous momiji scenes and temples and shrines take advantage of that to up their entrance fees.



Don't get me wrong, I love summer and winter too. I love summer because it reminds me of home. I love winter too because it brings the promise of snow. Although in Kyoto, it will most probably stay a promise much to my disappointment.



This brings to mind one of my favourite songs about autumn. I used to play on my piano when I was little. A sad, beautiful song.

The falling leaves drift by my window
The falling leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburned hands I used to hold



Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall