I have been a bit slow updating this: it has been a busy summer in the garden with lots of watering rewarded by lots of tomatoes, a horde (if that's the right word) of cucumbers) and more plums than we've had for years. So poetry has taken a back seat.

But now the pressure has eased off (until the apples are fully ripe) and it's cooler, with the nights beginning to draw in. I made a dater a walk with afraid earlier snf d realised the September solstice is only a month away. So to face down that thought here are some poems that I hope still have touch of summer about them

Hope you enjoy them.

20/8/25

If you would like to read more, please go to the poetry section.

Reflection on an August bank holiday.

Shadows long across the heat burned grass.

The end of summer and the search for… what?

Ahead the prospect of the shortening days

Gold leafed indeed but lengthening dark

Whose ending is December’s death.

Now turned fifty and half a life gone by.

Bright days to come but soon the autumn frosts.

The children grown, old dreams unfulfilled.

Has it all been worth the saying “no”

To those beguiling summer paths?

For faith seems weak, youth’s sureness bent and frayed

So much pain – not mine but this world’s grief.

The sad sight of mid age desperate to stay young

And seeking for a second time around.

But winter has its beauty too.

Hard to imagine I wrote this nearly 25 years ago. I now realise that autumn comes before winter - and early autumn can be even better than summer.

Do get in touch if you have any comments or ideas

I’d love to hear from you about my poetry journey!