Autumn Fades

A poem by Calista Robledo

on the surface summer and fall look the same 
             the commute
                         the coffee 
                                  the people 
                                             egg bites 
                                                           emails 
                                                                     plans & lists 
                           everyday until an orange leaf 
                           kisses my windshield

          suddenly the world changes while 
i remain the same 
           humidity bids her goodbye and 
i slowly put the linen away 
           the crisp air says hello with a shiver down my spine 
as i decide if I need a jacket after all

yet
we may not know how many seasons of this threshold are left 
or if wet snow overpowers the orange leaves 
as Earth’s patterns tangle in distress

                            but I nevertheless hope we see a pumpkin 
                            and bake it into a bread or pie
                            and welcome the darkness with candles and tea
                            ready for interior warmth and slowing ease 

		            the commute
		            the coffee 
		            the people 
	might all look the same
	but time washes gently away
	as we enjoy what we can before autumn fades 

---

AUTHOR

Calista Robledo is a minister, writer, and preacher from the bordertown of Weslaco in South Texas. She received her bachelor’s degrees in Catholic Studies and Writing & Rhetoric with a Concentration in Creative Writing at St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX., where she also worked as a student leader with Campus Ministry facilitating small groups and preaching. Her undergraduate experience led her to discern an M.Div., and she landed at Boston College Clough School of Theology & Ministry.

During her M.Div., Calista co-founded the Theology Arts Collective, a student-led organization that merges creativity with spirituality through creative time, retreats, and the annual Night of the Arts showcase. Calista’s lifelong love for the arts began when she started dancing at the age of three, and expanded when she participated in her first musical, Godspell Jr, at the age of eight.

Calista has also run a Substack newsletter for five years and has written for the National Catholic Reporter. Recently, she also participated in Discerning Deacons’ Diakonia Fellowship program where she learned more about her vocation and focused on lay-Jesuit collaboration through co-preaching with a Jesuit classmate at the CSTM. Calista graduated with her MDiv. in May 2026 and is now working as the Director of Faith Formation at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Sharon, MA.

Calista hopes to do good work in the Church by serving the People of God by teaching, preaching, facilitating, writing, and whatever else God calls her to do!