Autumn is my favourite time of year. I love the smells, the colours and the way it makes me feel. After the sticky heat of summer and the previous busy 9 months (that seemed to have flown by) the fresh earthy breeze and low summer sun fills me with a sense of contentment. And for the first time in a very long time, I feel content with myself – who I am and what I have.
At the weekend I drove to Oxford and on a blustery day, my journey was adorned with golden leaves, whether falling from the sky like rain or spinning in a whirlwind in a hidden corner of a college wall. As I watched the leaves I felt warmth.There was a great feeling in Oxford with university students moving into new accommodation – some returning for another year, others beginning a new chapter of their lives. You could feel the apprehension and excitement. Sat in sunshine outside a popular pub, I watched parents carrying boxes of belongings – the contents of a bedroom ready to fill a new space of independence. Mothers ‘clucking’ with maps in their hands, and fathers keeping the calm whilst bursting with pride. There were the cool students with eclectic style, those in tweed and flat caps and girls looking like they were fresh from the Joules catalogue. I felt excited for them and envious for the experiences ahead of them. It was good to be there.
Another reason I love autumn is for the pigs. Yes, the pigs. Living so close to the New Forest means that when the pigs are out in the forest eating the acorns so the ponies don’t eat them, I can go on a little piggy hunt (which I do most years!) A weekend ago, I took the girlies on an afternoon trip to the forest in hunt of some pink porkies – which we found just outside Brockenhurst. They were too cute. Heading across the forest we stopped on the Ornamental Drive for an ice cream, sitting in the low sunshine with the smell of firs, enjoying the last of the afternoon sun.
The Girlies and their ice-creams
I am managing to do all the things that I want to do, with pretty much no thought to anyone else and what anyone may think. It feels good. I am happy and content with what I have, what I am doing and where I am going. Suddenly turning 30 in 10 day’s time doesn’t seem so bad and I am left wondering what all my previous fussing was about.
5 comments:
glad to hear you're doing well. x
Thanks Emily, How are you doing? I am really enjoying all your poems! I don't know how you do it!
x
things with me are good. been writing so many poems as there is a poetry collection competition i want to enter soon, and needed to get lots done. i'm glad you like them :) they're fun to write. but after i've done that it's back to the novella i started to write but then shyed away from. the colder months are good for writing, it makes me stay in more. stay happy and keep eating those ice-creams! x
An Oxford day of honey on oatmeal; and virtual warmth of stone still cool to the touch. Daring the squirrels down in the Meadow; they dare, all right; pastry bothers not overmuch.
And piggles sought by wily young girlies; where snuffles and good grunting once meant good hunting. Then one, no longer flustered, as she views the start of her finest years ahead and eye smiles.
Emily - You poems are fun - good luck with the competition and with picking which ones to use - they are all great. I am looking forward to snuggling down over the colder few months and taking time to write again. xx
Richard - That is beautiful, thank you.. and yes, the finest years are ahead! xx
Post a Comment