Preserved
There’s more to Autumn than melancholy
Mists, golden grove un-leaving
Grieving, chrysanthemums
Acrid, banked in the churchyard
The dying of the light
Swallows mustering for flight
Keats had it hymned to perfection
Mellow fruitfulness
His ode is humming
Turning, perfect burnished orb
Glowing, as I chop and stir
Preserving in the pan
Purples, deep reds, aubergine
Provender, jewels from the hedgerows
Tomato, elderberry, black fig
Bursting, bubbling
Vinegar, balsamic, soft brown sugar
Cardamom, all spice, ginger
Yes there’s more to Autumn than melancholy
Conserved, held fast in chutney, compote, jam
Jars stacked, stored against the coming cold
Magic gift and souvenir
Of Summer’s blessed and ripening sun
There’s more to Autumn than melancholy
Mists, golden grove un-leaving
Grieving, chrysanthemums
Acrid, banked in the churchyard
The dying of the light
Swallows mustering for flight
Keats had it hymned to perfection
Mellow fruitfulness
His ode is humming
Turning, perfect burnished orb
Glowing, as I chop and stir
Preserving in the pan
Purples, deep reds, aubergine
Provender, jewels from the hedgerows
Tomato, elderberry, black fig
Bursting, bubbling
Vinegar, balsamic, soft brown sugar
Cardamom, all spice, ginger
Yes there’s more to Autumn than melancholy
Conserved, held fast in chutney, compote, jam
Jars stacked, stored against the coming cold
Magic gift and souvenir
Of Summer’s blessed and ripening sun
27th September, 2009, Hounoux
I can hear the chutney bubbling!
ReplyDeleteYour fab recipe Gill-with balsamic vinegar!
ReplyDelete