Autumn Arrives By The Moment

Autumn arrives with the signal of showers and the rustling of dry leaves. Somewhere, flamboyant flowers are scattered on the street.

In July, there are many rain showers. Unlike the summer rains, the storms and wind flail the trees against the ground.  The wet and gloomy clouds travel across the horizon.  It rains constantly, making the skinny trees lush again.  There is no dracontomelum fruit in the market.  In the endless rice fields, the paddy grains are ripe.  Their fragrance spreads everywhere.  Loads of traditional snacks are carried on the shoulders of country women.

June is the month of rainy weather.  The rain lasts day and night.  It pours like cats and dogs.  The city sinks in rain.  On the fifteenth day of the month, the offerings are well-prepare outside. Mothers burn incense to pray for salvation of his soul on Vu Lan day- a day of forgiveness for the souls.  It is also the month for mothers.  In Vietnamese custom, wearing a pink rose means the mother is alive while a white rose means their mother has passed away. This meaningful day always reminds people to treasure what they have; parents, family and relatives.

After the July rains, the sky is strangely clear.  A blue stripe spreads in the sky as if a child were painting it.  The season of dracontomelum fruit ends, as the season of milk flower arrives with a subtle fragrance on the street. A quiet night.   A chill in the air.  The gust of winds and mist gradually glide through the city.  In the mist, the road appears, vague under the neon lights at night.  Everything is surrounded by the fragrance of the milk flower, bot magnolia and hyacinth.  The flickering light goes through the window.  A couple of birds are leaning against each other and sleeping.  A romantic piece of music plays.  A modern Hanoi seems more tranquil and romantic in a slow beauty. A yellow leaf falls in a quiet space.

It’s cold in the early morning and at night.  It is not too sunny.  The wind blows the yellow leaves on the street, making a rustling sound.  Ripe pomelo, guava and decandrous persimmon can be seen in the market.  On the street, mid-autumn cakes are displayed in glass cupboards. Hang Ma street is full of colourful lanterns, toys, masks, crowns and drums.  The children happily walk in a procession of lanterns and look up at the Moon. The pigs (baked cake) drowse in a lovely cage. The drum sound echoes everywhere.

Autumn comes fast and then leaves soon.  Winter chases right after.  Autumn makes everyone feel more romantic.  The trees turn red under little sunlight and fluttering wind.  The West lake is immense in the magical fog.  The lotus marks the beginning of autumn.  Spring-Summer-Autumn-Winter-the rotating seasons.  Autumn brings both gorgeous beauty and melancholy.  Romantic eyes watch the sunbeams dancing by a window, feel the winds playing with his hairs and hear coffee drops dripping.

The scent of autumn becomes more passionate on quiet and foggy nights.  Missing the feelings of putting a hand in one’s pockets, smelling the strong fragrance of milk flower and leaning on someone’s shoulder.

Then, a new season will arrive!