Inhaling the Ripe Breath of Autumn

"When I heard at the close of the day how my name had been receiv’d with plaudits in the capitol, still it was not a happy night for me that follow’d;
And else, when I carous’d, or when my plans were accomplish’d, still I was not happy;
But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of perfect health, refresh’d, singing, inhaling the ripe breath of autumn,
When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and disappear in the morning light,
When I wander’d alone over the beach, and undressing, bathed, laughing with the cool waters, and saw the sun rise,
And when I thought how my dear friend, my lover, was on his way coming, O then I was happy;
O then each breath tasted sweeter—and all that day my food nourish’d me more—and the beautiful day pass’d well,
And the next came with equal joy—and with the next, at evening, came my friend;
And that night, while all was still, I heard the waters roll slowly continually up the shores,
I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands, as directed to me, whispering, to congratulate me,
For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the same cover in the cool night,
In the stillness, in the autumn moonbeams, his face was inclined toward me,
And his arm lay lightly around my breast—and that night I was happy."

Walt Whitman - Leaves of Grass

With these words, Walt Whitman perfectly describes what I felt these past two days. After a whole month of stress, exams and work, I could finally free my mind and inhale the beauties of mother nature. I had the fortune to spend the weekend in Umbria, Italy, where all you need to do is let the nerve-racking life of the today's world pass you by while enjoying the beautiful colors of autumn.
The weekend was dedicated to marvelous walks around the little towns of Umbria, where you can always discover pure and tiny streets not yet contaminated by the modernity of the XXI century. I felt like being immersed in another era..
Apart from walking, I had time to enjoy delicious meals, "all that day my food nourish’d me more"...and the red wine was gently accompanying the appetizing cuisine.
Last but not least, I was in great company, which only fostered my appreciation of this faboulous weekend.

Yes, this past weekend I was happy..."inhaling the ripe breath of autumn [...] O then each breath tasted sweeter [...] And that night [...] in the autumn moonbeams, [...] that night I was happy."

Montefalco

Spoleto

Sagrantino di Montefalco