A rocky patch that had no claim
To be beach, or shore, or land
But yet did witness all the same
Nature’s tricks and her sleight of hand
It, a victim of frosted nights
A crumpled face of weakened ground
Was a spectator of sheer delights
Where the Tamar fills the Sound
Here, it heard of things up river
Children playing, having fun
The summer’s whispers that joy delivered,
Now fell silent in the autumn’s sun.
The devil himself came to see.
Where his burning hoofs tarnish the sand.
Rocks fell when a smile he released
Admiration for Summer’s last stand.
A man-of-war did pass this way
Grey, silent and with a serious intent
To retrieve those stolen warmer days
Owed to Plymouth and were heaven sent.
Autumn is the magical place the earth must go
When the silent bells of the equinox toll
To rest, replenish whilst the winter winds blow
Taking dues for warmer days; taxing our happy souls.
It’s a moment of maturity verging on decline
Where vivid colours anticipate the last
Chlorophyll’s final attempt to hold the line
Against a relentless enemy driving pass
The last warm winds blew with a cause,
Like on a predetermined plan
To move the warmth along because
It was requested in a distant land.
Red flavoured berries and some a yellow taste
Offering pleasure to your thirsty soul
Inviting you to try one before the winter haste
And their beauty relinquished to the nipping cold.
Orange shrubs mimic the sky
To repel the changes and take a stance
To stand against the cold and defy
Its forward motions, its deathly dance.
The leaves on the ground surrendered their last rattle
Like wounded soldiers in a deciduous war
The red the brown and yellow from a silent battle
Fallen foliage, their beauty like blood out-poured
Yet no one heard the foghorn blow
Warning of a rolling mist
We were too busy
Gathering embers from the summer’s glow
Collecting remnants from a dying bliss
But the flowers still radiated their beauty,
And tree displayed their sugar ladened fruit
This was nature last call and respectful duty
To thank the sun;
And to the summer salute.
End