Oak Leaf Cluster by Cathy Ulrich
Seed heads on tall grasses
bend in unseen wind.
Shadows grow longer
in golden light.
Chamisa blooms cadmium,
soon to spread its seeds.
Autumn Blaze maple
shows signs of pumpkin.
Last tomatoes and green beans
await picking,
bearing final gifts before
first frost.
Orange orbs lie vibrant
in nearby fields ready
to sacrifice flesh
for pies,
to sacrifice skin
for carving.
Earth prepares to rest,
but how may I?
©CathyUlrich and LargeSelf, 2012
LargeSelf 
I love the imagery here leading to an all important and very poignant question
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Thanks so much! I love Autumn but rarely seem to manage to slow down!
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And- do you need to? If so, you will
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Yes, I do need to sometimes. And I will figure it out. Thanks, Clare.
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This poem sums up how much I love fall! Unfortunately, my massive lactaid issues prevent me from indulging in my love affair with pumpkin pie! Tell us a bit about the oak leaf cluster. Is it a scan, did you make it using a computer program?
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Thanks, V.
I’m sorry about the pumpkin pie. One of life’s little pleasures. I wonder if there’s a dairy-free version?
The oak leaf cluster was created in Corel Painter 12. In my opinion, Painter is the best and most amazing fine art software ever. The latest version, 12, has this new kaleidoscope feature and as John Derry, one of the original creators and the teacher of the tutorials on Lynda.com says, “It’s highly addictive – you have been warned.” In this one, I used watercolors, watercolor paper and magic markers – all done virtually with a Wacom Intuos 4 graphics tablet. I actually did draw it all by hand, but was able to use the kaliedoscope feature to make it perfectly symmetrical. It’s kindof like Photoshop on steroids, but without all of the pain-in-the-ass mystery menu features.
Cathy
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Cathy, this is soooooo beautiful. I LOVE Fall, it’s my favorite season and this makes me feel all those colors, smells, sights, sounds. I DO NOT know what I don’t get alerts about your posts. I have sent an inquiry to the WP Engineers and so far, they’ve not given me a reason for this! I am going to unfollow and follow you again. Maybe a reboot?
Anyway, this was wonderful — love the emblem that you’ve created on Corel Painter. Those graphic programs are so much fun, aren’t they?
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Thanks so much, Brig! I love fall, too. I woke up yesterday morning and just felt the Fall vibes and this poem came out. I also realized that it was Autumnal Equinox!
I think WP has changed the way we’re notified. When we follow, it just goes to the Reader now. Then you have to go to the reader and by “Blogs I Follow” click edit list and from there you can choose whether to be notified by email or not. Takes a few extra steps.
Thanks again for your kind comments and for stopping by!
Hugs,
Cathy
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For as long as I remember, I’ve always hated fall. The seasons which shows you beauty, then deprives you from it. The season where you’ll end up bereft.
But now I live in a country where it is especially liked. Noone mentions it without a smile on their face. For people here, it’s the only season here that doesn’t have a calamity attached to it: winter has biting frost, spring has yellow dust and summer has monsoon. Here Fall is the season of sweet times outdoors, bright colors… and love ^^
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It sounds beautiful there – Korea, right? Yes, I think our attitudes about the seasons change depending on where we’re living. I have always loved Fall, but especially when I lived in Florida. It was so hot through the Summer and when the evenings finally started cooling down, it felt so wonderful. Here in Colorado, Fall is truly harvest season. It also means that ski season isn’t far away! 🙂
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South Korea is the place ^^. It will be my third autumn here and I can feel myself changing slowly over the years. I will post pictures: Korean fall is definitely a sight!
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I’d love to see them!
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