Goodbye Amihan*, Goodbye
"Hanggang sa Muli, Amihan."
Living with Nature Center
San Vicente, Ilocos Sur
Photographs by Dr Abe V Rotor
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
- Albert Camus, French philosopher and author.
Talisay or Lugo' (Ilk), also known as Umbrella Tree (Terminalia catappa) is fondly called "Autumn Tree in the Tropics." True to its description, the tree has uniform spreading branches that form an umbrella crown. Being deciduous, come amihan season or autumn, the leaves turn yellow, orange, red, and ultimately, brown, as they fall off and form a litter on the ground.
“Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.”― Chad Sugg
“The heart of autumn must have broken here, and poured its treasure upon the leaves.” ― Charlotte Bates
Deep red leaf showing intricate venation as viewed against the sun,
- a unique foliar characteristic of talisay or lugo'. .
Autumn Leaves*
The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall
The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall.
* Autumn Leaves is the English-language lyrical adaptation of the French song Les Feuilles mortes (The Dead Leaves) composed by Joseph Kosma, a Hungarian composer in 1945. Autumn Leaves is among the favorites songs in the oldies by Nat King Cole.
Lugo' tree get occasional pruning to induce formation of new crown, but more importantly, to reduce risk of typhoon damage to the surrounding area, and to the tree itself. Photo taken at the Center.
"Autumn… the year’s last, loveliest smile."
— William Cullen Bryant
"Remnants of amihan cling to the tree,
now cinders dying, bidding goodbye;
consoling in tears, Hanggang sa muli,
come under my new crown, don't cry."
- AVR
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| Fallen leaves pile up after confetti for days, mysterious indeed are our Creator's ways |
"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."
— Emily Brontë
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*Amihan refers to the Northeast Monsoon in the Philippines, a season characterized by cool, dry air and winds blowing from the northeast. 