Trees Shed Their Leaves In Which Season <2K>

I turned for home, the dry leaves crunching underfoot like old secrets. Above, a single oak leaf still clung to its branch, waving once—perhaps in farewell, perhaps in hope. Behind me, the grove settled into silence, already dreaming of green.

For an hour, I watched the shedding. The oaks clung longest to their rust-colored armor, releasing each leaf only after a long, whispered argument with the wind. The maples, already half-bare, let go in sudden, breathy sighs—whole twigs’ worth tumbling together like a flock of small, startled birds. And the birches, slender and pale as candles, scattered their gold in a constant, gentle rain. trees shed their leaves in which season

In the season of , when the world holds its breath before winter, the trees begin their quiet performance. I turned for home, the dry leaves crunching