they say the breathtaking Faye when summer exhales she is a most sensuous waif her hair adorn with alder catkins the shade of a world transitioning Faye’s task is simple Hewwo — with her gentle fingertips russet into the maples every swirl of leaves she walks with animals she softens the sky those who glimpse her that endings can be beautiful Faye is the calm guardian she is the keeper of the season and when the last leaf falls <~> rob kistner © 1/13/26 
Original DDE™ art: “Fairy Aurelian” by: rob kistner © 12/28/25
the Aurelian gilded Maid’nMuse
appears magicallyl
when the sun sheen is on the land
and earth’s glow thins into gold—
releasing its last warm breath
and the seasons of the year
begin their quiet descent
an earthen and lake spirit
who can spritely curl
small as a leaf
yet is wise as the oldest oak
holds the color of flame
of September’s first fire—
amber at the tips
saffron at the scalp
preparing to let go
with grace
but it is most sacred
as she directs her liege fairy — Hewwo
mistress of color transition
the size of a morning dew-drop
she very carefully
draws color into the leaves
*Original DDE™ art: “Hewwo
saffron into the birch
wine into the oaks—
stubborn to yield—
thus she embraces her task
with zeal and fervor
is Aurelian’s gentle breath
coaxing them tenderly
into their final dance
of forest and field
preparing them for the longer nights
as she lays a hush on the land
into a deeper blue
that promises a winter
without fear
feel a sudden peace—
a knowing
that this change is not loss
if held with a steady hand
overseeing all gentle transitions
lovingly and mindfully
that teaches us all
how to release without regret
she curls into its hollow
—here she sleeps deeply
until the world again needs
her tender touch
This is absolutely beautiful! You have such a way with words and imagery…..creating a mythical character within a beautiful and calming story.
I am most smitten with these words
“those who glimpse her
feel a sudden peace—
a knowing
that this change is not loss”
I’m reminded of a guardian angel…the kinds I learned about in Catholic grade school eons ago and then created her to my imagination. 🙂 I imagined her at both my mother’s and father’s shoulders as they transitioned from this life to the next. Smiling here….remembering those memories. Although your illustration is a bit more sensual than my imaginings!
Thank you Lil. I was a catholic boy, so guardian angles are most familiar. I chose to go with an image I felt would represent an adult fay. I was influenced by some of the greek and roman mythological entities. I did not intend to be offensive. If I was, I apologize my friend. 🙂
A beautiful fantasy creature, Rob. You images are wonderfully written!
Thank you so much Dwight…. 😉
A lovely tale of such a wonderful being helping the transition… given what we are doing I hope she has some claws against the enemies of the wood as well…
She has tricks, powers, and claws Björn.
A lovely character. I think the world needs “her tender touch”!
Thank you Merril — we are in great need of a gentle tender touch.
A beautiful creation Rob ??
Thank you Ange… 😉
I like that she paints the leaves and that is her only task. A very important one. I like these lines very much: “who can spritely curl
small as a leaf
yet is wise as the oldest oak”
Thank you Melissa… 🙂