As the temperature changes and jumpers are sought
We get to discover the sale stuff we bought
Last winter from Next where we queued like grey dominoes
To purchase more clothes, where straight under the bed they go.
And finding soft clothes fitting dark cooler days ,
Is akin to the lure of the slow cooker haze.
And the scent of the fireplace of wood burning smoke ,
Follows fresh pairs of socks when your feet have got soaked
.
In Autumn the promise of capturing friends,
To nurture hot drinks and then start one again .
Some bodies do well in the rain and the cold,
Preferring to ski and go swimming -so bold
,
On the beach, are the wild ones, I watch and admire
Whilst swathed in a blanket inside my armchair
For some, it’s a seasonal obstacle course to get through
When everyday life leaves your hands white and blue .
Because your immunity loses all reason
And messes your energy most of the season.
This isn’t a tale about how to get fixed
If this is reality, you’re expert in this .
.
This is a hug for all those who dream
And whilst loving Autumn; still silently scream
A hug for the days where the damp makes you weep
From moving the route you could do in your sleep.
In Summer your joints hurt but pain you just bear
When sun on the skin in the flip-flops you wear
And breezes that brush you like kisses from fairies
Don’t punch like six boxers in pub crawls gone lary.
On wet days as two eyes gaze at leads by the door
And despite doggie patience, can’t cross one more paw
You battle the elements for today’s mini drama
Ignoring the pain in invisible armour.
Attempting the route which is suddenly hard
And crying a little while hips feel like shards
Of glass and things spiky : and push their way in
And you must just make it to put out the bin.
And friends say how are you? And what do you say?
You’re fine on the outside, you say I’m ok
But all that has happened with wind, chill or rain
Has stolen your energy ,swapped it for pain.
Immunity plummeting, temperature cool,
You’re a blood boiling, bone aching ,gland swelling fool
Fit for your duvet and slippers and tea
Not out in the world where the others can see.
Except life can’t give us a six month reprieve
From autumn and winter and all that she breathes
We battle on each of us: through knowing eyes
Determined to catch at least one bright sunrise .
We all know someone who can relate
To managing what life has plopped on their plate
But sometimes a gentle reminder or two
Shows us just how to walk in their old winter shoes.
Is not such a bad thing For those you hold dear
Who bounce round in summer, but have now disappeared
Know that seasonal changes, the glory of Fall
Can come with a minefield, not welcomed by all .
Like dormice, exhausted, curled in Autumn dens
sometimes we exist to let friends down again
There’s is no timetable, days plunge into gloom
And Covid was quite normal, spending months in your room.
If you know someone precious, and you care they stay yours
Their needs will be be different behind their front door
They might need more sleep at wierd times of the day
Or struggle to move in their usual way.
Or feel guilty because they can’t be that friend yesterday
Who left you with this face, gone lifeless and grey
Social media will not show the fog Winter brings
The lonely months of time, before warmth of Spring.
Be kind, patient, knowing, we aren’t all made the same
For we all wish we could leap puddles in the same rain
Tomorrow will be better after rest, Netflix and soup
And soon we will feel human and be back in the loop.
A thousand thanks for all the eyes that make my path more clear
For dancing leaves and Autumn light which decorates my year
Our bodies aren’t so easy to decipher from outside
They don’t have labels telling us the things we often hide.
This season as the lights go down and you chop up for soup
Extend a hand for quiet ones and keep them in the loop
For as you’ll know they may not ask for extra love they need
So lay a spoon , a bowl and crust and give their soul a feed.
From our hearth to yours, Liz at the Beach Hut xxxxxxx
