MEMBERS ONLY
Autumn
Woolly jumpers taken down to air, too hot to wear
Yet, in this mild Indian reprieve
Summer skirts half in half out
not quite ready to let go the memories they hold
trophy vestments of weeks well spent
In a Kerry town, a brand new tent.
I forgot again to collect the blackberries to make the jam - I will!
Use up all those dusty jars waiting expectantly for their fruity fill
The days are losing their sharp edges
Melting into dark velvet early
And begin again as if reluctant to shake themselves
from being too long in bed
The swallows swoop low and lower
One final encore before they depart
The cat has started to sleep all day
Seeking a warm spot to nest
He dreams of dormice and dancing leaves
greedy paws pouncing in the breeze
And me? I turn this way and that
trying to right myself in this new rusty world
My birthday month balancing the scales
A Libran tightrope of walking a thin line
weighing it all up yet again
Between doing and being, between now and then
What lies ahead? No way of knowing
But holding on tight to fizzy hope
As I think about starting my Christmas shopping soon.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!
Stews and soup enter my mind
To comfort and ease our way Into this dark season of time
Softly chiding myself, for going too slow
But then gently, softly letting go
Claire Watts 2026
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