Cool September Wind Poem by Ron Pate

   Seeking shelter from an incoming storm I ran across an old shanty, sitting well off the beaten path.   Glancing at the threatening sky I quickened my pace as the rain drops began to sting my skin in the cool September wind.  Upon reaching the door and stepping in, a warm feeling surrounded me and time itself appeared to stand still.  Peering throughout the rooms,  I felt a strong presence of a family and friends.  An old brick fireplace captured my attention; it was the benchmark of the room.  On the mantle an old picture lay, one of a family way back in the day.  The picture contained a man, woman and two small children, standing in front of the fireplace.  Standing there in their place, I imagined the love and polite conversations shared in front of the old fireplace.  I imagined surviving from one day to the next was extremely rough. Just putting food on the table was a constant chore, but from the look in their eyes, happiness and togetherness was all it took and that's what really mattered back then.   
   Making my exit,  I reluctantly turned and stepped through the tattered doorway, it was almost as I felt a warm hand touch my shoulder ushering me on my way.  As I departed, I swore I heard, 'come back and visit real soon friend' as the rain began to  fall once again in the cool September wind and time started all over again.

   ' It's not what you have, but who you are.'