. . . Rose leaf, elm leaf, kernel of the wheat,

Airy waft of thistledown, feather of the wren,

Bring him peace and happiness, let his dream be sweet,

Take my secret thought to him and call him home again!

~ Excerpt from “Hallowe’en Charm,” by Arthur Guiterman

Suddenly warm again after a night of rain and the river with the fat clouds on the blue surface is soaking up the morning sun. I think, yes, certainly, I will have to swim at Farm Pond at my lunchtime break from the Power of Words Conference. I have prepped for presenting my own poetry workshop at 2:00, and I come in and quickly get online in time for my friend Riham’s workshop in flash fiction. She is presenting from Egypt! I’m pleased for her that it’s well attended and successful. After lunch I realize I want to swim, but I’m content to swim in doors, and so I do. And i don’t regret it; it’s a lovely swim. When I lift my head I see the gold sunlight on the trees. Then I present my workshop; it goes very well. The writing is wonderful that’s shared. After that, I think, maybe I’ll get a nap, but instead, my daughter and I are roasting a turkey and I spend the rest of the afternoon prepping for our quiet dinner. No trick or treaters. Tomorrow will be November. Tree branches are growing slick black. Most of the leaves under foot. November! Thank you, October. So long.