My favourite season is autumn.  In Canada, I always enjoyed looking at the coloured leaves as they fell and covered the ground in the park.  In Japan, I have seen the beautiful red maples, bright and vibrant at Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, and I can never forget them.

However, I read with surprise a few days ago that the seasons are slowly changing in Japan. Global warming is extending the rainy season, and making the summer longer.  The autumn that I love so much is shortening and disappearing.  In the future there may only be summer and winter left. That makes me sad to think about it.

I see the power of a young Greta Thunberg, who is fighting for the future.  I wonder if there is a strong girl like her here at Shin-ai.  The Japanese Greta.  I hope one of you can rise up and fight to save the future for all of us… and the pretty autumn leaves for me.

August and the summer season, gone,
It’s autumn here in Kishu, long awaited,
October’s fallen, with leaves in aureate,
Now’s a November dawn.