Autumn is here. She’s been creeping in slowly, one step at a time, and has finally arrived in her full glory. The air is cool and crisp, the kind you drink in like water and let burn deep in your lungs and belly. Red and gold leaves cover the sidewalks, but the trees still blaze forth in technicolor blasts. During the day, the sun has that special October way of gilding everything with a soft light, and in the evening, the skies are clear and lit up with stars.
In the neighborhood people have been decorating for Halloween. One brownstone has been draped in orange lights, complete with smiling plastic jack o’ lanterns that are lit up from the inside. They glow and glower with delighted ferocity from the windows, stopping people in their tracks as they look up and stare at them. Stores are selling pumpkins by the dozen, and I’ve seen more than one woman walking around with one cradled in her arms, looking like a lumpy, orange baby. Ah, and the candy! It’s everywhere. Store shelves are dripping with the stuff, layer after layer of all things tasty. Snickers, Mars Bars, Paydays, Nerds, Kandy Korn, Twizzlers, Gummy Bears, SweeTarts, Gobstoppers, lollipops, Hershey Kisses, edible buttons, M&Ms and Skittles galore. (Marshmallows. Taffy. Red dye and sugar. Heaven.)
I love this time of year. There’s the obvious reasons -- my birthday is during this season, the pleasure of eating pumpkin seeds, colorful trees -- and the less obvious ones, like the quality of sunlight and that expectant, almost anxious feeling in the air. I thrive on it. I love pulling out my old sweaters and putting them on, and I love chasing through piles of leaves. Seeing the squirrels rummage around for acorns in the park, watching kids get excited over Halloween costumes -- it’s all so autumn. So exhilarating.
Today, as a token of thanks for my gratitude, the season gave me a special gift. I was walking through Prospect Park, enjoying the sights and sounds of late October. The park was crowded, full of people on bikes, horses (!) and on foot in sensible foot wear. Both the yuppies and hood rats were out, and everyone was getting along fine.
As I was taking in this scene, I was thinking how close to nature you can get in the city. It was a thought that was still being formulated in my mind when, from the top of a tall tree, a huge falcon swooped down. He flung himself over to a neighboring branch, chasing after a squirrel. It was all very Discovery Channel, and not a single other soul was witnessing it.
The bird flew directly over and in front of me. I could see every detail of the creature, from the coloring of the wings to the sharp pointed beak and talons. The sight was incredibly touching and strange at the same time. A falcon? In Brooklyn?
I followed the bird for a short while, watching him swoop from tree to tree in search of dinner. The entire time no one else saw him. I tried to take a picture but my phone memory was full, and by the time I looked up from my phone, he was gone.
Those who are close with me know that hawks are very special and important to me. Although this wasn’t a hawk I saw, the falcon was equally meaningful. The bird was a beautiful gift, and one that apparently was just for me.
If I see the bird again, I’ll be sure to post about it. Hopefully I will!
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