Very late in November, and the colors linger. Red, orange, yellow, amber and gold embers flicker, smolder, burn.

I didn’t know I was headed for a long fall. A slow descent. Swaying from side to side on the way down. Drifting on the breeze. Lowering, lifting and lowering, again and again on a gust. Swirling in circles, eddying above ground, rising higher and higher.

Twirling in midair, lingering, unaware of any dark gray days ahead in December.

Very late in November, and the colors are still here. Red orange yellow still blazing, still burning. I am on fire, and floating.

I hope I never touch down. I hope I fall, slowly, forever.