An Ode to November

“November–with uncanny witchery in its changed trees. With murky red sunsets flaming in smoky crimson behind the westering hills. With dear days when the austere woods were beautiful and gracious in a dignified serenity of folded hands and closed eyes–days full of a fine, pale sunshine that sifted through the late, leafless gold of the juniper-trees and glimmered among the grey beeches, lighting up evergreen banks of moss and washing the colonnades of the pines.

Days with a high-sprung sky of flawless turquoise. Days when an exquisite melancholy seemed to hang over the landscape and dream about the lake. But days, too, of the wild blackness of great autumn storms, followed by dank, wet, streaming nights when there was witch-laughter in the pines and fitful moans among the mainland trees.” – L.M. Montgomery

Dear November, you’ve been so peculiar this year. You’ve been warm and bright and colorful, but you’ve brought so much darkness and emptiness in our souls. You’ve brought out the best in some and the worst in others. You’ve made us be thankful for everything we have, but also scared of losing it all.

Oh November, you made us laugh, you made us cry, you made us feel strong and invincible but also small and lost. You made us think about the future, always remembering the past. You made us better humans, forged by a new sense of purpose.

One thing we ask of you dear November, tell December to be merry and kind. Tell him to bring us joy, peace and hope. Let him heal all wounds and inspire us into building a new better future.