POETRY

Drought hot days

Water pours to wet the rose

Frog leaps out to hide in the mint.

loudless blue

Blazing sun

Swifts squeal high

Curved black wings slice the shining air.

Drought hot days

Water pours to wet the rose

Frog leaps out to hide in the mint.

Cloudless blue

Blazing sun

Swifts squeal high

Curved black wings slice the shining air.

Winter…

Rain upon rain, 

spattering the windows 

Sky riven in shades of grey

Grudging cloud tears

Let cold light filter through

Washing the landscape

In bright bleak beams

Bleached out sun

Cold winter light

Black oak silhouettes

Twist grotesque

Against the ash pale sky

Gaunt rugged strength

Subdued beauty

The land gives up its colours

Soaked and cold

It settles to endure end of year furies

Floods, frosts fogs, gales

Darkness and gloom

*

I gather holly, ivy, mistletoe.

Light candles.

Make a bright place.

Forget the dark.

Spice the wine.

Bring friends to reminisce

Christmases past

Fire burning bright

Silver thre’pennied pudding

Crackers and cousins

Aunties and giggles

Heap in sultanas, raisins, currants

To soak in the brandy.

Cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, clove.

Warm wafts of Christmas

Drift around the house.

So memories are made…

Jeannie Mehta

2011

Autumn Begins

Leaves drift and land

On the black wet tarmac

Shining gold coins

that nature spends

for worms to eat

making rich

the earth beneath our feet.

2026