By Arthur H. Gunther III
Fall — autumn sounds better — is when you are supposed to let go of summer, even if you dread winter’s coming and want to hold onto the beach, fire pits and the light as long as possible before darkness arrives. In my part of the world where we have seasons, some seem almost never to give up hope that warm, even hot weather will push into fall and provide enough memory fuel to get through at least one inevitable cold, snowy day. If you want to feel that way, rave on, but I’d rather envision fall as the song goes, “Autumn in New York,” a 1934 jazz piece by Vernon Duke for the Broadway musical “Thumbs Up!.”
AUTUMN IN NEW YORK
Autumn in New York
Why does it seem so inviting?
Autumn in New York
It spells the thrill of first-nighting
Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds
In canyons of steel
They’re making me feel
I’m home
It’s autumn in New York
That brings the promise of new love
Autumn in New York
Is often mingled with pain
Dreamers with empty hands
May sigh for exotic lands
It’s autumn in New York
It’s good to live it again
Lovers that bless the dark
On benches in Central Park
It’s autumn in New York
It’s good to live it again
There’s not much more I alone could write to add poetic description to God’s gift. I wish you bon voyage in this special time, even if you still are wearing shorts.
The writer is a retired newspaperman who can be reached at ahgunther@hotmail.com
Of all the things I miss about Rockland now that I live in place that appears to have endless summer is autumn —The sight of leaves turning bright yellow and orange hues. The smell of autumn, even without the burning leaves was one of life’s true great aromas along with fresh pressed cider at Cropsy’s and Conklin’s orchards and that first bite into that crisp NY State apple.
The first morning with a definite nip in the air to say winter is coming was always eagerly awaited.
Yes, ‘Autumn in New York’ is more than a Gotham thing.