I Think I’m Going To Like The Fall

I think I’m going to like the Fall. It’ll bring me to a new season in my new city that won’t remind me of you. There won’t be snow on the ground to shut this whole town down: I won’t want to beat the cold by cozying up to you. I think I’m going to like Fall because there won’t be cherry blossoms or scaffolding on the Washington Monument. I think I’m going to like the Fall because I won’t be at the beach lying in the sand and breathing ocean air without you.

I think I’m going to like the Fall because when I get on the plane the stranger in the seat next to me won’t be holding a ticket you were supposed to buy. We planned our adventures through Summer, but we never made plans into the Fall. I think I’m going to like the Fall because I’ll find pleasure in the little mysteries it brings. I think I’m going to like the Fall because my adventures will be running a marathon, going to every museum in the city, and doing all of the small things that you never would have considered exciting.

I think I’m going to like the Fall because, even with shorter days and cooler temperatures, there’s still excitement when meeting someone new. There’s still warmth that spreads inside you to contrast the cool air on your skin. I think I’m going to like the Fall because when the air turns crisp I’ll run after work at sunset and find solitude in the stillness and darkness instead of running in the morning at sunrise to beat the chaos and the heat.

I think I’m going to like the Fall because there is no minor league—it’s just the big dogs. All New Englanders will find each other once a week when our team plays so that we can have a little piece of home in this transient city. We’ll rendezvous on our designated day at our designated time at one of the designated bars. I think I’m going to like the Fall because of the tailgate parties and the opportunity to just sit and chat with a beer. I think I’m going to like the Fall because I haven’t worn my Tom Brady jersey since he broke my heart in January—right around when you picked up the pieces. I think Tom will be more careful this time.

I think I’m going to like the Fall because of the rhythmic repetition. I’m going to like the Fall because the world continued to turn after we stopped spinning.