We are now deep into the season of Autumn, the world around us changes, offering a feast of color to the discerning eye. Today, two more acclaimed poets provide their thoughts about this iconic autumnal month – October – as it comes to a close.

“But see the fading many-colour’d Woods, Shade deepening over Shade; the Country round Imbrown; a crouded Umbrage, dusk and dun, of every Hue, from wan declining Green to Sooty Dark.” – James Thomson, “Autumn”

“That time of year though mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold
Bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang . . .”
– William Shakespeare, Sonnet LXXIII

Phew, forget Old English. The basic thought is, the trees are losing – or have already lost – their leaves, and the colors of the natural world have shifted toward the brown-gray scale in many parts of North America.

The autumn colors have peaked elsewhere – but in Oklahoma’s eastern forests, as well as most of Arkansas – there is still a treat for the eyes of those who’ll take the time to look. In fact, we’re planning a drive on the Talimena drive this very week. That drive crosses the ridge of the Winding Stair Mountains from Talihina, OK in LeFlore County to Mena, AR and is Oklahoma State Highway 1.

I hope you’ll take some time to take a drive through the woods of Eastern Oklahoma, and into Missouri and Arkansas, to enjoy our fall foliage as it ‘peaks.’