GATHERING SUNSETS
I wrote this poem two years ago; as I was gathering Sunsets today while the sun was setting, I thought I’d give it an outing. I took these photos this evening.
Today’s warm and calm September afternoon, spent gathering Sunsets:
Some still only greenamber, some warmly apricot, some wholly hot-blushed red,
Near all answered the careful questions of our fingers
By easily succumbing.
We worked together,
Lifting those Sunsets down out of a duck-egg sky
Whose frisky cirrus warned of imminent wind-falling,
To hessian-nestle them in a sacking-lined barrow.
We two mute, a radio play about Edward Thomas our entertainment –
While, so touchingly appropriate,
A distant village thrush sang his Adlestrop finest.
Tomorrow, kept indoors by the forecast weather,
We shall lay our Sunsets out in pinewood trays and,
With the conscientious cat checking procedures,
Stack these in the Fruit Store,
Flavouring its cellar-still air Sauternes sweet.
For many, many weeks to come, fingers crossed,
Gloomy evenings and, later, earlier-coming nights
Will be much cheered by a glowing Sunset each…
Perhaps two, even, if they’re smaller.
We, savouring released juices,
Shall crunchingly reminisce about that happy harvest;
Meanwhile, our Apple Guardian tabby will snooze by the fire –
She soon to be stirring herself,
Time to embark on her darkling patrol
Of every outbuilding.
© Christopher Jessop 2018
