The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry’s cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town. Emily Dickinson, “Autumn” [first four lines]
Autumn. My favorite time of year. The mornings are crisp and cool, the leaves are turning brilliant shades of yellow and red, pumpkin spice is back (yes, I said it), and it’s finally hoodie weather again. After the rush of summer, autumn invites us to slow down. It’s a season to savor quiet mornings, notice small shifts in nature, and take pleasure in the little details that make this season feel special.
Emily Dickinson captures this perfectly in her poem “Autumn.” Each line guides us to slow down, pay attention, and be present this season.
Pause
Autumn mornings are meeker, gentler than summer mornings. We can slow down by noticing this change:
- Wake up a few minutes earlier than usual to enjoy the quiet.
- Sit with a warm cup of coffee or tea.
- Take time to pray, read a book, or journal thoughts.
- Step outside to feel the air and watch the sunrise.
The “meeker” mornings remind us to pause and help us start the day calmly rather than rushing. A calm that can last the rest of the day.
Notice
The season is full of small but beautiful changes. By paying attention, we can slow down and appreciate them:
- Take a short walk; notice nuts ripening and berries plumping.
- Observe changes in color and texture in leaves, trees, and plants.
- Taste seasonal fruits or flavors slowly, savoring each bite.
Slowing down here is about being present and curious, noticing richness that is easy to miss when we are busy or distracted. This can cultivate gratitude and a deeper sense of connection to the season.
Reflect
Autumn also reminds us that some things end. Summer roses are gone, daylight is shorter, and the landscape is changing. Slowing down allows us to reflect:
- Observe which flowers and plants are no longer blooming.
- Notice fallen leaves, bare branches, and the softer, golden light.
- Pause and think about what has ended and what remains.
- Reflect on what you’ve learned, what you’re letting go of, and what you want to carry forward.
Recognizing absence can be a gentle practice in acceptance. Instead of rushing past what is no longer there, we can appreciate it for the beauty it once held and embrace the new rhythms of the season.
Embrace
Autumn, as Dickinson shows, teaches us that slowing down isn’t about doing less—it’s about noticing more. By paying attention to gentler mornings, subtle changes in nuts and berries, and what has faded, we can align ourselves with the natural pace of the season.
Let the beauty of the season set your pace. Slow down a little. Breathe. Watch. Taste. Reflect. The challenge is simple: Pause long enough to notice what this autumn is trying to show you, and you may find its calm stays with you long after the leaves have fallen.
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