Jessica McQuistin
Fall Poetry, Ponderings & Perhapses
Updated: Nov 10, 2021

In my first-ever fall newsletter which came out last week, I included "getting sweaty" in a list of "things keeping me cozy". This sounds a little backward, even to me! Coziness usually conjures up images of soft sweaters and fuzzy slippers and warm drinks by the fire...Which I am totally down for! But I've also felt an opposing yearning lately, one that I distinctly remember feeling last fall as well, which is making me think it might be a seasonal thing for me. And that is the urge to move my body vigorously.
Here's a little poem I wrote about it.
Perhaps this chill in the air
That nips at our noses
And freezes our toes-es
And sends us - misguidedly? -
To seek warmth indoors
Is actually inviting us
To build heat from within
Our magnificent bodies
So that our blood will flow
To every little fingertip
And toe tip and nose tip
And our sweat will - after significant effort -
Reward us with a drip
Until eventually we shed our coats
And our sweaters
Because we
Have risen to the call
Of the fall weather
I am super curious what your reaction is to this! Are you nodding in agreement, having experienced this phenomenon yourself, or shaking your head as you shudder at this nonsense and wrap your wearable blanket more snuggly around your body?
I've sat on this for a while because on different days, I've had completely different reactions to this idea. Ultimately, I think fall can pull us in multiple directions, swirling like the wind that tousles fallen leaves, and changing its mood as the leaves change colours.
Some days I may choose to "rise" to this perceived invitation to build heat within my body, others days I may choose to "fall" like the leaves and rest, or let go - as the trees do - of things I no longer want or need (these can be physical items, beliefs, thought patterns or habits). One thing's for sure. When I watch nature's dance I can see that both sides of the spectrum are beautiful.
What are you feeling called to rise to today?
Or is it rest that you're craving?
What are you ready to let go of so that you can move forward a little lighter?
I'd love to hear your thoughts and reflections!
As always, thanks for stopping by.
For a different flavour of fall-inspired reflections, check out this post: Darker Fall Reflections: Follow Your "Noes"