Something in the Air

The birds noticed, it, too.

It was like
someone turned a page,
a big page,
one that momentarily muted  
the bright morning light.

With it came
a cool breeze
that sent chills
across my forearms
and up the back
of my neck.

It blew a few
golden leaves
off the river birch tree
across the street,
sending them helicoptering
down through
the red and orange leaves
of the Japanese maples below.

It wasn't just me
as simultaneously 
my dog lifted her head,
tilted her nose up,
sniffing in the change
in the air.

The birds noticed, too,
holding still
and staying quiet 
as the moment passed,
the brighter morning light returning,
the new coolness acquiesing 
and giving way 
to the warm sunshine.

My dog and I paused,
took note,
and went about 
the day at hand.