on autumn iii

it's been so still
humid air weighing on us all
weary from sleepless nights
from self-medicated sleep
from restless waking
from waking alone

and now the leaves move
trees sigh at their relief
the wind tunes up
wheezy gaps in windows and doors ajar
asthmatic whistling of telephone cables
clinking lines on masts
waves thick enough to roll the shingle
to slap the seawall
spit over its parapet
and bounce back to sea

this cool sou'westerly
freshens up the air
brings on the rain
brings me sleep
alone or not

~

CLP 04/10/2021