Touch East

In late autumn, at the beginning of winter, the landscape suddenly becomes magical during this transitional period. The late autumn sun seems to pour like honey into an unnamed longing. The early winter wind is gently cool, just enough to stir a sense of wistfulness. These days, I clearly feel the scent of autumn permeating the misty, chilly air that drifts over every street of the city. Perhaps, autumn and I embrace the lingering feelings of the days that touch winter?

The branches of the milkwood trees sway precariously in the cold early winter wind.

As winter approaches, the delicate daisies peek through the streets, accompanied by shy young women in flowing ao dai dresses. Their hair, blown by the early winter breeze, falls softly on their shoulders and touches the daisies, stirring a lingering sense of longing. Daisies, simple yet strangely captivating, their fragile petals encircling a bright yellow center, illuminate the old street in the early winter afternoon. Memories of youth suddenly flood back into the mind.

We remember our school days in white uniforms, filled with memories of our teachers and school. Each school year, the teachers welcome a new batch of students. Later, as we turn the pages of our farewell yearbooks, our hearts are filled with nostalgia for the "ferrymen" who guided us and countless generations of students to the shores of knowledge. We remember the bouquet of daisies that our class gave us, cherished by our homeroom teacher on the school's anniversary. Life's storms have scattered the members of our class in all directions. Although we always cherish the kindness of our teachers, the demands of life prevent us from always being able to visit our "benefactors of knowledge."

Daisies are peeking out from the street.

Nature seems to have a clever way of arranging things; the peak season for water chestnut harvesting coincides with the arrival of winter. Some mornings, I curl up in my warm blanket, listening to the lively chatter of the women as they gather to harvest water chestnuts – a truly heartwarming feeling. With the skillful hands of homemakers, water chestnuts are transformed into many delicious dishes, becoming a "specialty" throughout the region. During this season, the evening meal table in every household often features stir-fried water chestnuts with eggs, sliced ​​water chestnut salad, or stir-fried water chestnuts with thinly sliced ​​chicken, all seasoned with a sprinkle of chili and pepper – truly a perfect accompaniment to rice.

One day, while on a business trip through Hung Ha district, I suddenly caught the faint scent of milk flower blossoms in the wind. Looking up at the trees along the roadside, my heart ached for the milk flower branches swaying precariously in the cold early winter wind. Although most of the leaves had fallen, the small, delicate, ivory-white blossoms still tried to offer their sweet, intoxicating fragrance, clinging to the autumn season.

Late in the afternoon, in a charming little café in the heart of the city, I quietly watched the golden leaves swirling in the wind before gently landing on the sidewalk... Suddenly, the verses of the poem "Touching Winter" came back to my mind:

The capricious wind gathers the last autumn leaves; the sulky clouds cling to the mist of yesteryear; the innocent, dreamy sun calls winter to take refuge at sunset!

Perhaps, Autumn is still hesitant to leave, reluctant to let go as winter approaches.

In the winter, sometimes waking up a little early, sitting with close friends enjoying a cup of tea, watching the waves crash against the shore, one suddenly reflects on the meaning of life. In life, every person and every event comes and goes because of fate. Therefore, cherish what comes, let go when it ends, and learn to take things lightly, and life will be peaceful.

These days, I wish I could forever cherish the beautiful moments of the changing seasons, the intermingling of earth and sky. But I understand that life should accept the impermanence of things; when one season arrives, another must inevitably depart...

(According to baothaibinh.com.vn)

Source: https://baophutho.vn/cham-dong-221771.htm