Changes

The Hedge

Early morning, I pause,

listen, absorb the scene.

All is peaceful as

Emanuel Ax plays Brahms.

Beyond the garden,  fields

edged with hawthorn, are now

studded with ruby for autumn.

Not long ago, the hedge

was cloaked with bridal white.

Time has passed all too fast.

I long for time to stand still as

Emanuel Ax plays Brahms.

 

In these times of economic and political upheaval, we need to stop if we can and take time to just be; time to soak up the healing benefits of the natural world where changes are continually happening, but they are reliable – apart from occasional unexpected freakish events. The changing seasons are undeniably not as predictable as they were once. We may experience unseasonal hot weather and periods of drought or flooding, but there are still some constants.

We know that soon the swallows will be leaving us and we know that the geese will soon be arriving from Svalbard. Those migrants face an arduous journey but at least when they reach their destination they will be welcomed.

The music of man and the music of the natural world – gifts in a turbulent world.

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Sometimes things don’t go to plan…

I am not going to attempt to comment on Brexit other than this appalling mess we’re in now is thanks to someone thinking that he was sure he knew what the outcome would be. But things certainly didn’t go to plan and we’re the worse off for that.

However, this is not the best of times to send my blood pressure up. I shall refrain from thinking about politics and instead make only a light reference to the sad situation of many migrants in the following –

No Barriers

Nearly sunset

January sky soon to be a palette

for shades of evening light.

 

Suddenly

skeins of Barnacle geese head

back to feeding grounds.

 

Solway coast, haven to migrants

from Svalbard, welcomed

nourished.

 

Their journey

free from barriers, unimpeded

by politics, prejudice.

 

Sometimes we need to get away from people and all the tensions of the modern day world. We need to clear our heads of the mindless activities of so many people in places of power.

Today I saw clusters of ladybirds,  sowed seeds, cleared weeds and watched goldfinches feeding. This is one part of the world that makes sense. The garden is going to plan, many of the geese have flown back to their home in the north. Sometimes, some things feel right …