Fall Leaves & Nature's Noise

The kids are back to the crazy days of school, and we are all missing the outdoors. But my pup reminds me that fall is the perfect time for a walk in the woods... 

...which brings me to another contest!

2023’s Fall Writing Frenzy

To enter: Look through the images here and write a 200-word or less story/mood piece/poem prompted from the picture. When you're down, fill out the contest form here by midnight October 3. Follow host Kaitlyn Sanchez at @kaitlynleann17 for updates. 

And check out the prize donors online too: 

@Ms_Holliday93, @readbystephanie, @ErDiPasquale, @IvanTaurisano, @ebonylynnmudd, @AndreaYWang, @AReynosoMorris, @amandarhill32, @HovorkaSarah, @chanastiefel, @ShannonStocker_, @AutumnLeaflet, @BrianGehrlein, @JStremer, @DianaMWrites  

I love the opportunity to write a mood piece, and this image evoked a mood for me. 

7. Photo by jonas mohamadi on Pexels.com

Nature’s Noise  (149 words)

By Lauri C. Meyers

I race down the hall,

Backpack heavy
With homework to remember, books to ignore, lunch half-eaten…
 
My brain more full than my belly
From all the questions and answers
(Are you listening? Yes, Ms. Fomanti,)
The giggling girls swapping lip balm,
Rowdy boys bouncing basketballs.
The pressing, pressing, pressing of the hallway.
Chaos echoes from cement walls to laminate floor
Until I push open the door.
 
I race to the woods,
Thoughts heavy:
The cafeteria’s so loud, I used to like math, I miss Jack…
 
My worries pounding like my steps
In the leaves, crunch, crunch, crunch
Until I reach the trees, fluttering yellow hands.
A sparrow whistles a soft hello.
The crisp breeze rustles my hair, lifts the weight.
My stride softens, swish, swish, swish. 
A goose calls, reminding me to look up 
The sky is clear, and I fly
 
Racing home,
Heart soaring 
Peace, calm, nature’s noise.