We drove down the street on a sunny afternoon
And gazed at the colors — some golds and maroon
And oranges and reds — a beautiful sight!
The colorful fall season is always a delight.
I said to my friend, “Isn’t all this beauty the best?!”
Looking annoyed she said, “leaves make such a mess!”
I was determined that her negativity would not get me down
And change my smile into her unhappy frown.
I answered, “But the skies are so blue and clear.
All the bright color makes me want to cheer
About the change of the seasons — the variety
And all nature’s variations for us to see.”
But she wasn’t convinced by the colorful display
Of red, orange and yellow leaves falling each day.
She seemed obsessed by the task to come
Instead of enjoying fall’s phenomenon.
It’s a new season and it’s a new time to choose
To enjoy the trees showing off their newly acquired hues.
You don’t have to focus on the caring for each bed,
the raking and picking up and work involved instead.
And then I said the words that relieved her mind.
I reminded her that others were part of the design.
I reminded her that our community has an HOA
And the workmen will be told to take the leaves away.
The work will be done and we’ll have nothing to do
Except enjoy the views opening up and the colors too.
It’s time to wrap up in our warmer fall clothes
And realize how pleased we are that we chose
Ovation at Oak Tree for our neighborhood home
With its dark rich soil so filled with small stones.
But we love it here, despite the rules and changing staff
Who leave quite suddenly after working on our behalf.
So let’s enjoy the fall season with its colorful hues
And focus on the positives and not express the blues.
We can watch the workmen each doing his assigned chore
And enjoy the beauty in Ovation even more than before.
