You wouldn’t have known, looking out ‘cross the grass,

The night time ice leaving frost as it passed,

That the day would not brighten; though light it has been,

The chill of the day, no warmth have we seen.

But the dull Autumn day deceives those who look out,

Keeping inside where it’s warm, there’s no doubt.

But keeping inside means you miss what’s out there

If you look beyond trees that stand woefully bare.

First listen for rustling ‘mongst the leaves now so deep,

As animals forage and rummage, they keep

Searching for food, now hidden from sight.

And the juvenile blackbirds spoil for a fight,

Pip-pipping so loudly they spar with their song

That heralds the dark of the nights now so long.

And look for the fungus deep orange, gold, green;

The colours of autumn everywhere to be seen.

The musk smell of rotting, the leaves now return,

Feeding the ground or brightly they burn

On the crackling fire burning fiercely so bright

Defying the darkness that comes with the night.

The glorious gold that still hangs on the bough

Do you still think it’s dull? Do you still think that now?