Thoughts at 3 am

              It’s three AM. The date on my computer screen reads November 1^st, but it still feels a little bit like Halloween. My boyfriend fell asleep a few hours ago, exhausted, and my roommates have all found themselves elsewhere for the night. I feel a little isolated. It’s warm enough outside, and with winter fast approaching I know that opportunities like this are going to be few and far between, so I open up a window to let in that autumn breeze.

              It’s that time of year when the leaves are still on the trees, but they’re drying out and just on the brink of falling. And with the breezy night, the leaves are making the most beautiful rustling noise. It’s not something you notice if you aren’t paying attention; after all, it’s just rustling leaves. Michigan is a pretty densely wooded state, and living around here, the sound of leaves tends to fall into the background. But taking just a moment to listen as the wind rises and the music crescendos like a symphony is a nearly magical experience. Fitting for late on Halloween night, when witches roam and magic flows. It really is like a mystical spell, and somehow the rustling leaves are transforming what felt like isolation into gentle, calming solitude.