November 06, 2010

Fallen Foliage.

Translated from the Czech language, the name November means Leaf-fall. How true this description rings indeed, as it is in the eleventh month that our trees loose their precious leafy possessions.

Thus everywhere I look, beautifully dyed leaves lie in heaps, in a stunning contrast to the evergreen of the grass or the black of the asphalt, garnishing the ground. While I walk or take a drive, I love to watch the wind play with these copper and golden remains of foliage. Almost as unseen sweepers, the wind gusts pick the leafy leftovers off the ground in colourful whirlpools, like discarded remains of party confetti, long after the celebration has ended. Moving them across the sidewalks and roads, creating a feeling of enchantment, but simultaneously - a certain sense of sorrow. One that can be perceived upon a conclusion of something brilliant...

To me fallen leaves are stunningly beautiful. They continue to create abstract masterpieces of art, while - and long after - the painted landscape slowly turns foggy and grey.
Momentarily, there is nothing more alluring then the rustling of the foliage beneath my feet, as I take late autumn walks on misty days, while the air grows saturated with dampness and the scent of wood burning fires.





31 comments:

Lynne said...

Beautifully written.
Yes indeed, the leaves are disappearing fast revealing hidden scenes.
Have a good weekend.

Rajesh said...

Beautiful mosaic. The ground is colorful with fallen leaves.

S. Susan Deborah said...

I loved the photograph. And like you, I share love for the fallen autumn leaves. It is simply beautiful and along with those yellowness, there is a calm sense of nostalgia and memories.

Have a blissful weekend, dear Zuzana.

Joy always,
Susan

Elizabeth said...

Wonderful pictures!!!!

The sun is shining over our isle, time to go outside. I'll talk to you later.

xoxo e.

tony said...

I Love The Randomness of The Fall. After Months Of Strict Discipline (i.e . "rooted" to the branch).The leaf is liberated!Each has it's own unique & beautiful journey away from the tree.
Have A Fine Weekend Zuzana X

Elisabeth said...

How extraordinary, Zuzana. I did not know the word November means 'leaf fall'.

For us in Australia it is almost the other way around. In November the leaves from our deciduous trees come out of bud.

Brian Miller said...

some beautiful pictures zuzana...the abstract art...yeah i like that as well...and know exactly what you are saying...have a wonderful saturday my friend...

Sandi McBride said...

I could smell the leaf piles burning, Zuz...and feel the warmth of falls past, the fun of raking and piling jumping and reraking. What a lovely post!
Sandi

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Beautiful, beautiful...I love the rustling sound as they blow across different surfaces or crunch under my feet!

I say this ALL the time but I SO enjoy your photo collages.

steviewren said...

I like the photo of the leaves in the middle of the mosaic. Some of them almost look purple. And I can't get over how beautiful the grass is. I love that lush green color.

How a beautiful weekend!

Nessa said...

I never get tired of looking at Fall leaves.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

I'm so happy I found your blog... You weave beauty and magic, with your words. You take the ordinary, and paint it with your lovely ability, to use words.

Thank you...

Gentle hugs...

Myrna R. said...

I enjoy your tender discription of fall. I don't live in a place where foliage becomes a colorfull landscape. I live in the desert. So I so much appreciate your photos and your words.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Alberto Hugo Rojas said...

thanks for your visits. I like your post and your pictures.

Kath said...

nothing says Autumn to me, more than bonfire smoke!

Unknown said...

Beautiful words and photos!
I'm a November girl and love this time of year... As for the sadness some feel this time of year, I suppose it's natural... it is a time of dying in nature. Still, I can't help rejoice at all the glorious color in dying leaves!

Happy Fall!
Deb ( who wondered over from Sharon's blog )

Hilary said...

So beautiful, Zuzana. It makes me want to go out and take a walk.. and I just got back from one.

Unknown said...

beautiful words and a great time of year.

Anonymous said...

You describe the fallen leaves so beautifully and your photos are gorgeous. When I was out walking with the grandkids on Hallowen night, it was so nice walking through the leaves. I love the rustling sound they make and remember saying, "I love the smell of dead leaves". : )

Claus said...

You write so poetically Zuzana! It's very enchanting. I wonder if November has a windy meaning somewhere. Wind is the element that out-stands in Guatemalan Novembers. There is no red/orange foliage as you know, yet plenty of wind and lower temperatures mark this month. Like today! It's windy, very cold, yet sunny, and nature is green!, and some flowers are blooming. In the same planet, yet our seasons and weather so different. Wonderful!, ins't it?
Have a lovely and peaceful weekend!

Betsy Brock said...

lovely...you certainly have captured some gorgeous fall photos!

SandyCarlson said...

I find autumn alluring for the same reasons. A beautiful, sensuous post. Gorgeous. You make me want to go out for a walk now, even at this hour. Beautiful. I love November, too.

Bossy Betty said...

Incredible pictures! So lovely, as is your writing!

Unknown said...

Lovely autumn leaves. Now for a walk through the fallen leaves just to hear the rustle and crunch :)

Donna said...

Beautifully said...and beautiful photos.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend, Zuzana.

Hugs,
Donna

Anonymous said...

Wonderfully lyrical and poetical - you sum up my own feelings!

Maja Miusow said...

I love falling leafs, but Im afraid thats the only one ascpect of fall which I like;)

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree more!! That's what love about fall - the beauty in the changing of the leaves - I love (well - ALL the pictures you post) but the one that's zoomed in on that ONE leaf - because about a week ago I took a very similar picture - there was this beautiful reddish leaf surrounded by blah dead leaves and the grass underneath was so green that I thought it made for a perfect picture! :)

I too love the how the leaves rustle around and the cool, brisk air... One of my posts has a few pics I took in my neighborhood of the fall foliage (if you ever want to take a peak) The post is entitled "A Moment When The Dark Clouds Lifted" ... meaning my depression lifted for a moment to let me enjoy the season I love so much and I was so grateful for that moment - so I just had to capture it with some pictures!

Thanks for another great post :)

Christine

Unknown said...

Zuzana: What I believe you are sharing with us is the splendor of the spring and summer, albeit, in a different and equally beautiful form in the winter. I feel for you with the long dark days, however, I understand you love living there and that too is a very interesting part the world. xo!

Velvet Over Steel said...

Pictures, story and music... everything made for another beautiful post! Awesome!

Have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
Coreen

Zuzana said...

Lynne, Rajesh, Susan, Elizabeth, tony, Elisabeth, Brian, Sandi, Jill, Stevie, Nessa, Amelia, Myrna, Albert, Kath, Deborah (welcome), Hilary, Doreen, LadyCat, Claudia, Betsy, Sandy, Betty, Keats, Donna, ladyfi, Maja, Christine, Michael and Doreen - I am so happy that my description of the fallen foliage and its symbolism appeals to you.

Infinite magic lies in every season, as every kind of weather pattern has a purpose. To find enchantment in even late autumn melancholy is very rewarding.;)

As always, I am endlessly thankful for all your visits and very kind words.

Xoxo
Zuzana