Warm Tea on a Cool Afternoon

Deep Autumn Series Vol.3

There comes an afternoon when a warm cup of tea begins to feel different.

Only a few months ago, we searched for something cold.

A cool drink after stepping inside.

A glass filled with ice beside an open window.

Anything that offered a little relief from the summer heat.

Now, warmth feels welcome again.

The afternoon air has grown cooler.

Outside the window, leaves have deepened into shades of red, orange, and gold. A few drift slowly toward the ground whenever the wind moves through the trees.

Inside, a cup of tea rests between our hands.

Steam rises quietly from the surface.

We take a sip.

And for a moment, there is nowhere else we need to be.

Perhaps this is one of the simplest pleasures of autumn.

Not the grand colors of a mountain landscape.

Not a journey to somewhere famous.

Just the contrast between cool air and something warm.

The weight of a cup in our hands.

The faint sound of leaves moving outside.

The last soft sunlight of the afternoon reaching across the room.

A cup of tea cannot stop the season from moving forward.

Soon, the days will grow shorter.

The trees will lose more of their leaves.

The first signs of winter will eventually appear.

But there is no need to think about that just yet.

For now, autumn is still here.

Outside, the air is cool.

Inside, the tea is warm.

And sometimes, that is enough.

If you missed the previous article in this series, you can read The Colors Beneath Our Feet.