Autumn

Autumn. Where forestlands and streets are swept with falling leaves and mushrooms flourish at every crack in the corner, vibrant hues of amber and scarlet colour the once-green trees. There is a calmness in the air, the air thickened with the gift rain had brought that lightly showered the rich soil under our feet. A slight scent of earthy richness fills our senses replacing the flowery sweet scent carried from the summer. A different calmness as sunlight peeks through the now scattering clouds and caresses our rosy cheeks. The slight warm touch of the sunlight sends a little reminder of the once-hot nostalgic summer days. Although as days slip into nights and temperatures ease to chilly levels, we start the new season of 2021. Autumn. 

Waking up to the breeze let in by the open window, a habit from the hot summer days, it’s a new morning, a new day. Another day. Getting out of bed has always been the hardest part. Something you’ll never truly get used to. Embracing the cold bite of the air, I tred over to the closet that seemed all too far away and began to wonder about my outfit for the day. No longer summer, muted browns and greens replace the shades of pinks and lavenders and knitwear seemingly too thick for the tight closet space slowly find themselves stacked upon layers of other sweaters and vests. Vests and button-ups, a growing necessity for this season, can be paired with almost any kind of pants. Straight-legged, low-waisted, vintage, baggy, wide-legged, denim, just a small list of some of 2021’s must-haves. Deciding on a thick green knitted sweater and a vintage straight-legged pair of denim jeans, I get ready for the day.  

Damn it, there's only 20 minutes before school starts. No time for breakfast as I quickly grabbed the coffee that sat too long on the sun-baked kitchen counter. Though I know there's sun, it’s always colder than it seems. It’s anyways always cold here in Finland. Rushing through the door, I slip into my visibly used sneakers with my coat in my other hand and make my way downstairs and out. Wow. It’s not cold, it’s freezing. Instinctively, I throw on my jacket and take a sip from the coffee. The bitter taste of coffee with the hint of sweetness coating my tongue, a source of energy to start the new day. I looked up over the sunlight that peeked through the thick morning mist and that slithered past the amber leaves leaving a golden cast on the damp grass. Over the mist, I saw the faint moving shadow. I think my bus just left. Now I'm definitely late. I’m definitely blaming it on the cold morning of autumn.

Jasmine Finnilä