THE ARRIVAL OF AUTUMN

As the memories of a sizzling summer start to fade away, Swifts and swallows start to leave and squirrels come out to play. Autumn arrives in shades of orange, russet and brown, The once green leaves start to wither and come tumbling down.

The scorched grass has returned to being luscious and green. Wimbledon is a distant memory, now thoughts turn to Hallowe’en. Of witches on broomsticks with a black cat in tow, The telling of ghost stories from times long ago.

Plump orange pumpkins can now be found in every store, Hedgerows filled with juicy blackberries by the score. The autumnal chill can be felt in the early morning air, The start of the school year and new uniforms to wear.

The long sticky summer nights come to an end, The return of the darker, cooler evenings which start to descend. The horse chestnut tree standing tall, proud to be seen, Festooned with glossy brown conkers hanging in shells of spiky green.

Hazy sunshine and refreshing autumn rain, Ripening of crops ready for harvest time again. Whatever happens in this uncertain world, one thing is clear — The cool, crisp autumn days will return with each coming year. Rebecca Quayle, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.