As we move into darker days, full of damp and swirling winds I've been reflecting on poems created in the warmer months of summer.
Throughout this year I've been steadily working on a collection of illustrated nature poetry, rooted in themes of wellbeing and mindfulness.
This project has been generously supported by Arts Council England and the Developing Your Creative Practice grant.
Today, I want to share with you a small handful of poetry pieces, full of the memories of sunny days, warm skin, and blooming flowers.
Enjoy this small curation of selected poems.
Turn
face into the light
and allow all your shadows
to fall far behind
Barefoot in the garden
I am barefoot in the garden. Willing a soul connection with you to flow up through grass blades. Freshly sliced and cut by the visiting petrol lawnmower. The suns heat already crisped and curled tips. Lightly browned and spikey in the sun. Stepping forwards, to a shaded patch where mosses mingle, staying low to the ground to keep out of trouble. Looking closely, perfectly formed miniature lilac flowers in full bloom but hiding in their tiny form. The wood pigeon sends out its dutiful call reminding us that ‘I don’t want to go I don’t want to go’. I understand, today the garden is an oasis of cool, calm ease. Lying down I cover my eyes with my arm to avoid gumptious sun rays. Allowing a little light to come through my eyelashes emitting rainbow rays that flicker through the bright. The hedge line becomes the focus for my ears. A rustling of a lone forager turning the leaf litter. Flicking up semi-decayed, curled-up leaves of winter just gone. Seeking treats amongst the dark whilst the sun blazes on beyond.
Vows to birdsong
On this day, and dripped like ink through the others
May I vow to bathe in your rich cacophony of chitter
You chorus in all its unruly aural joy
May it not pass in a background haze of indifference
And can it always be held in spectacle and wonder by all my future forms
Is it possible to bypass the careless haze of chores and convenience
Oh my old bones, how I tire at the thought of ever missing you
Rushing through with closed eye and ear
We are here here hear us
We are we are here here hear us
We are here here hear us
Hear us
Furze
Coconut dusted
Spikes collecting summer rays
Until seed pods pop
Thank you for reading my curated poems from summertime. I hope they brought a sense of warmth and calm to your day.