When Flavor Settles

Picture Book Manuscript
by Dan Leonard
Approx. 130 words

 

Summer had finished its turning.
Not all at once—
just enough.

 

 

The air grew heavier.
Not colder—
closer.

 

 

Scents stayed near the ground.
They did not travel far.

 

 

Sound changed first.

Steps softened.
Rustles lowered.
Even the birds spoke less.

 

 

Light came differently now.
Lower.
Slower.
Reaching, but not far.

 

 

Nothing rushed away.
Nothing stayed behind.

Things leaned toward where they rested.

 

 

For one moment,
day and night

held the same weight.

 

Balance did not break.

It continued downward,
carrying everything with it.

 

 

After that,
movement felt different.

Not faster.
Not slower.

Settled.

 

 

What was ready
came down.

What was not
stayed.

 

 

The ground accepted what was given.

 

 

Nothing needed turning.

 

 

Flavor did not leave.

It settled.

 

Autumn gathered

what it could.

The rest

was held.