The Smell of Dust and Damp, Rotting Leaves

National Blog Posting Month – September 2014 – Crunch

Prompt – Which smell lets you know that it is autumn?

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The title of this post gives it away. It’s something about the smell of the summer’s spent leaves as they start to mildew in a pile that reminds me of fall.

That smell of decay before the long winter.

It’s a little sad, but it’s not a bad thing.

The end of the season means the chance for a new and better season later. The loss of leaves is the promise of tender young sprouts in a few short months.

The spring is a time of rebirth, but rebirth means nothing without it’s contrast with death.

The smell makes me hopeful.

Hopeful for a warm winter spent cozily in front of the fire. Hopeful for the coming year. Hopeful for a bright and colorful spring.

A promise for a brilliant future, if only I can survive the winter.