Autumn in my garden

A celebration of colour and light, a poem, and thoughts on fizzling out...

In my garden I have an acer that every autumn exhibits the most beautiful colours. I’ve written about this acer before, the time when I decided it needed to go (it’s planted in the wrong place) and cut it back to the ground. I never quite got around to dealing with the stump and the following year it flourished and earned itself a reprieve.

Also in my garden, much to my frustration, is a neighbour’s virginia creeper. I spend much of the summer trying to hack it back but every year some of it escapes my secateurs. For a few days each autumn it’s a source of joy that almost makes amends for the summer struggles.

One morning the light was soft and magical, the colours glowed and I had to grab my camera…..

This week I was tidying out a drawer that was filled with old notebooks and letters and various long forgotten odds and ends. I came across a notebook from eight years ago, in those notes I was pondering on how I might combine my photography with poetry, and whether I would be brave enough to put it out into the world. I was shocked, because eight years later I’m thinking the same thoughts with no idea that they were so old!

I think if an idea hangs around for so long it really needs to be pursued. So I’m taking a deep breath and sharing the words alongside the photos….

Autumn approaches with a flutter
and cool morning air that nips
with puppy sharp teeth
and decorates blades of grass
with crystals that glitter
in the early morning light
before the rising sun
steals their shape
and they seep back into the earth.

Around six months ago I was full of good intentions to post twice monthly here on Substack but I fizzled out. Deep down I knew I would. As soon as there’s a schedule it feels like a commitment, and once it’s a commitment the joy drains away - for me anyway. I have a massive amount of respect for everyone who keeps up a weekly writing/posting schedule but it just doesn’t work for me. So from now on I’ll be showing up as and when I feel inspired, and maybe I’ll actually make good on that eight year old idea and start sharing some poetry!

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