The temperature is easing lower, the leaves are starting to change, everyone is posting back to school photos, and of course, people are starting to attack each other for money over possession of an olive shaped ball. No one is quite sure how the word “autumn” snuck into Latin and then to English, but it’s a better word than “Fall,” unless you think we are falling into winter, or just feel melancholy that summer has passed. We prefer to celebrate the turning of seasons, so we’ll have some food specials this weekend to nosh while watching the football and cursing our fantasy league performances.
“Gazing into the Distance One Autumn Day”
my imaginary lover has already left in a hurry
windows stand open like eyelashes in this
autumn room
an overbearing man suns his body
out on the balcony
rippled repeatedly by a lukewarm breeze
like a plaza of crowding trees
that autocrat, King Desire
has prepared a magnificent celebration
for Himself
the vast silences infect one another
and in the midst of all this he sees, far off
in the distance,
the first tree set itself on fire . . .
–Chen Kehua, trans. Simon Patton
Food Specials:
Shrimp and Mushroom Étouffée over Rice — $13
Cajun Squash and Peppers — $5/$7