Season of the Apple Tree!

Autumn Equinox wakes with the sun – and the clearest deep blue sky,
Sharing in the balance of equal night and day!
Marking the sun-wheel entrance to the dark half of the year,
A poignant moment around mid-morning – going out to play!

A family gathering – a quintet of Buzzards – gliding independent ringlets,
Tracing individual circles as we pass on by!
Rolling round to the right and up the hill – to the sign that’s never there,
A fork within the journey’s path – rising to a subtle climbing high!

Slowing into the siding where the stream runs silent,
Where the peace of the season’s backdrop – casts a natural beautiful scene!
The fruit is ripening in abundance – while the leaves start to yellow,
The hedgerow heaving – the bramble weaving – distorting is the green!

There’s a flyby too fast to catch the make and model,
A welcome vocal Woodpecker is there and gone!
We seek out the shadings – unloading our provisions,
Taking in the atmosphere – where the rays of history have shone!

Excitement mounts as we raise the table – a full rehearsal for the folder holders,
A satin finish taking centre stage – with a sense of pride of place!
There begins a gathering – with our seasonal fruit and hedgerow harvest,
Collected in a number of wooden bowls – a tradition with history’s face!

Apples in family groups – with Blackberries – Pears and Elderberries,
Random Rosehips and Hawthorn berries – symbolic sentiment from the heart!
Those who can make it – gravitate to the shade each sharing in the seating,
Capturing the moment with tales and memories and all warming to their part!

Up to the gateway with a final wander – on the lookout for stragglers,
Seeking a vigil with the Honeysuckle and maturing Hornbeam Tree!
The Lanterns find their flicker and the smouldering incense fills the senses,
The sun lantern comes alive and the heat is there for all to see!

The Drum and the Gong – help the dulcet tones of melody’s song along,
Foot-falls follow familiar footpaths – around and sun-wise round!
On circling the stone – we each in turn arrive at the Silver Birch alone,
With patches of lemon faded – black spotted leaves – as autumn comes around!

Honouring the seasonal cycles with the memory of The Ancestors,
Finding your place and trying not to trip over your vines!
The reflective breeze – dancing with the tree-tops at their ease,
The sun pours in – touching at the skin – and perspiration leaves its lines!

Come the ‘Season of the Apple Tree’ – we consume the entirety of our Apple,
Counting our blessings – sharing in nature’s womb and the seed of life!
Sharing in the feast we raise a toast – to the Blackberry’s food store,
Teetering on the taste buds – while the Blackberry wine is running rife!

With the ending of the closing – we retire to the comfort of the shade,
Cooling in the calm and reflecting a concern for absent friends!
Autumn Equinox holds its memories – the seasonal sun-wheel adventure,
And like Mr Ben – the shopkeeper appears – and this is where the story ends!

oOo