October is a perfect time for leisurely walks along the River Thames and up Richmond Hill to Richmond Park. The unbearable heat of the summer is gone, but the air is still pleasantly warm. The sunshine makes the autumnal colours glow with golden, green, bright red and russet hues. The wind nests in each tree and makes their leaves dance in the air so crisp and clean. Every step reveals a new wonder. How wonderful it is to be alive in a world where there are Octobers.

Pale amber sunlight falls across
The reddening October trees,
That hardly sway before a breeze
As soft as summer: summer's loss
Seems little, dear! on days like these.

Let misty autumn be our part!
The twilight of the year is sweet:
Where shadow and the darkness meet
Our love, a twilight of the heart
Eludes a little time's deceit.

Are we not better and at home
In dreamful Autumn, we who deem
No harvest joy is worth a dream?
A little while and night shall come,
A little while, then, let us dream.

Beyond the pearled horizons lie
Winter and night: awaiting these
We garner this poor hour of ease,
Until love turn from us and die
Beneath the drear November trees.

Ernest Dowson

Humble dazzle
Of autumn:
These leaves
On the ground –
Each one page
In the Book,
A poem that says
I lived.
I was
A small part
Of the whole
Story – this
Is my song.
This is my glory.

Gregory Orr

Leaves descending to the ground,
Orange, magenta, green & brown
The cool crisp breezes in the air,
Autumn season must be here

Charmaine J Forde

Two iconic views, one from Richmond Hill overlooking the majestic River Thames, one from Richmond Park, marking The Way, the protected 10-mile view to St. Paul's Cathedral in the heart of London. I feel lucky to have this little haven just on our doorstep. So close to the overwhelmingly busy city, yet it feels like in the middle of the countryside.