Autumn Storm

She came upon us from the North

Dragging her gloomy shawl

Over the sheared hills and ploughed land

Turning blends of gold to black and white

Breaking limbs from oak and ash

Flooded the roots

Inundated roads

Coughing and spitting

She dragged her filthy sheets into town

Stuffed her discarded litter into the drains

Threw hailstones that scratched our skin

Turned the fair to ruddy-faced

We flinched at each attack

Our umbrellas reduced to sodden flags

Useless emblems of human pride

We staggered home through her spiteful wind

As she blew out the last summer lights

Then spread her dark wings and settled in

Gloomy angel of long winter nights

~

CLP 26/09/2020