Too soon comes Autumn, nipping the heels
of unwary Summer while it stealthily seals
subtle changes in verdant leaf-laden trees.


Ripened fruits begin dropping unhinged by
rattle of branches in which Autumn hides.


Before battle commences its volatile breeze
scatters copper-thin shivers through obese
Summer with its cunningly capricious ease.


Autumn comes running nor stands aside
while plants adjust to its dynamic stride.


It tosses relentless as with bounty it plays
and douses growth's hold by raining days
of voracious havoc onto Summer's ill-fate.


Scurrying birds sense the warning of chill
as Autumn's sigh pecks at my window-sill.


All life battens down to change of season
for as Summer recedes, fight must yield.


Flower buds crumble and last roses fade
knowing Autumn comes running, to stay.

Whispers from wine-coloured moonlight have now
blighted old river grass.
No-one will pass by this flood's blistering chorus of
frustrated past outcry.
The waters stay silted with years-long, war-seared
bitterness as each ill-timed
Peace talk crumbled to finish killed by conclusions
of coated top-brass.


Dreams of the tortoise-shelled butterfly days faded
long before turbulent rapids
Drew young men and women toward battles over
naught but misapplied fears.
Lifetimes float hormonally by in river-side history
as pride's facade of need for action.
Forces of folk press-mustered, taught naught but
allegiance to mindless leads.


Listening I hear victims' pathetic exits still weeping
regrets for conceding to hate.
Wisps of blood-to-come days surface from tainted
mould as no war sits easily.
What happens when, hit by flows of violence peace
can no longer struggle for gain ?
Reddened under-tow of sacrifice rises from victims
caught in sightless obedience.

If first light that follows night's release
seizes every day's dawning
to increase
the force of nature's fresh-air feast
which overrides
residues of human sleep re-course
and provides new
meaning to a deep-breath revival

then why not breathe it in ?



If delight upon which one stumbles
at first light gives the urge
contained in that
humbling moment as dawn takes
up reigns cleansed by
dark silence to draw in morning air
and purge dream-dried
remains in lungs, heart and mind

then why not breathe it in ?



If blessings of waking at first light

outweigh last cosy moments in bed

and aid us gather fresh store of life

then why not breathe it in ?

Go gentle today.

Muse a few moments and find
a still space

Tread with care to nurture your
own special grace.

Go gentle today.

Stay and meditate a while on
just who you are.

You are a marvel of beautiful
life, you are a star.

Go gentle today