Now the days are shortening, it’s harder to be cheerful
\nthe darkness closes round us like a cloak; and
\ntrying to keep up appearances we joke a lot.<\/p>\n
A second lockdown dominates the news, more people
\ntest positive, and deaths are on the rise; still
\nresilient we make the best of every day.<\/p>\n
Sunshine, that boosted our first incarceration with
\nspring warmth, has gone on holiday, yet
\nautumn’s fire fills the evening skies.<\/p>\n
Standing in a field near home, we watch the sun fall
\nbehind the tinted banks of cloud, light
\nstreaming over the grass blinding us.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, we are giants etched upon a green stage
\nreaching out to touch the bending trees, lit
\nfrom behind our shadows lengthening.<\/p>\n
This fragile pleasure, watching our increasing size
\nwhen inside feeling insignificant, takes
\naway our viral gloom with wonder.<\/p>\n