---

Short Shorts

What Time Is It?

Outside, my multicolored garden is in motion—a kaleidoscope of rich autumn hues moves about on this rainy, blustery day. I see a swaying maple full of glowing red embers and twittering Enkianthus leaves sporting the color of pumpkins. Blueberries, left on the bushes for the birds, peek through burgundy-red vegetation. A coral bark maple’s butterscotch leaves sail about on the breeze. Hummingbirds move in and out of the deep red and purple blossoms dangling from the chartreuse Fuchsia ‘Aurea’.

I’m dry and comfy inside, sitting at my desk by the window. I can’t see the box of bulbs lurking on my porch, but I know they’re there. I postponed the planting work, placing the impatient bulbs on standby. I’m too busy watching the waves of air drift by.

by Debbie Teashon