The Fall: transition

On this beautiful, almost balmy, 22nd of September in Schenectady and it's the first day of fall. So in honor of that fact, we have Elke Putzkammer, professor of literature at Union College, to talk about autumn in poetry and literature.

- Good morning, professor.
- Hi, Alex.
- So, what about it? Why do so many people write about the fall?

- Well, I think it's seen as the beginning of the end, really. If the year is a life, then September, the beginning of fall, is when the bloom is off, the rose and things start to die. It's a melancholy month and maybe because of that, quite beautiful.

- Is there something you might read to us?
- Oh, I'd love to. 

 Whoever has no house now will never have one. Whoever is alone will stay alone. Will sit, read, write long letters through the evening and wander the boulevards up and down, restlessly while the dry leaves are blowing.

- Goodness, that harsh, isn't it?
- Well, perhaps. But truthful.

in Synecdoche, New York