Exhausted

Florida Fish and Wildlife, flickr

Down the center of the peninsular state, the tropical climate briefly withholds its sauna so a few exhausted leaves of august trees may die in their golden glory. Yet the fanfare is ignored amid the ravenous, eternal green, impatient heat, marauding winds—the energy of youth and growth and destruction.

* This is one of last year’s Inktober pieces. I thought it especially apt for this year, given the totality of Hurricane Ian’s destruction in Southwest Florida. And in general, from Central Florida on down, Florida’s “Fall” is not what it is in other states so these words are quite apt even if we escape a hurricane’s devastation. This past week, I’ve been a little distracted and though I think of ideas for Inktober, I seem to be more focused on more essential tasks. Still, there is nothing more satisfying than to post something, even a replay. Have a good weekend. —Margaret