Autumn and the theme of dying love
A poem for tender hearts feeling the chill….
‘Leaves’
If there was one word that embodies the spirit of autumn, it would be this one.
The sentiment of the word ‘leave’ - meaning to go away - is captured serendipitously within each autumn leaf as it falls and ‘leaves’ the tree.
Autumn is a great metaphor to convey the death of a relationship, for it marks the end of a time of warmth, the start of a colder and more unforgiving season.
The first time we are aware of summer - perhaps as a toddler - has parallels with the first time we fall in love. We have no conscious experience of Autumn or Winter we can compare it with.
We do not know what lies ahead.
We bask in the heat, a roof top cat, as if we have forever.
We are charmed by mischievous ribbons of light that play upon us, enthralled by vivid colours.
If Summer represents the naivety of love, Autumn surely mirrors realisation, maturity and wising up. The theme of loss dominates as bright blooms fade before our eyes. We are suddenly able to define our Summer, by way of having something to contrast it with.
Wind appears to beat delicate flowers as harshly as a cruel tempered lover. Petals lie tattered on the ground but still, the hopeful stems cling on.
Other plants rot before our eyes. Their demise has no drama. They are simply blackened and eventually deadened by relentless rain.
Still, Autumn is ruthless. It cares not if you pine for your summer.
The lesson, is in surrender.
We must learn to accept when Summer is over.
Autumn Leaves
Summer left your heart one day
I knew it from the trees
The blossom shoes that danced our path
Replaced by Autumn leaves
Love lost her breath, as bloated wasps
Gorged on fermenting flowers
Proud bees lay writhing on their backs
Remembering honey hours
Then all at once, the air was frost
I could no longer be deceived
Boughs dropped their fayre as luggage, lost
Branches suddenly relieved
Of all the burdens they had known
Arms hung as empty eaves
Awaiting cruellest days of all
That come when Autumn leaves
Autumn can indeed be ruthless, Julie. Sometimes it can come completely unannounced and blindside you. Too busy bathing in the complacency of long summer nights to notice the changing of leaves, shortening of days, and the fresh chill in the air. My summer has ended, as you say, but I'm happy with that, I want the seasons now, all of them, and I intend to enjoy every fucking one of them.
Sometimes life can feel like a perpetual winter, but it's the coldest of days that bring about the change of seasons. But, like you say, I accept life is cyclical and the end of summer will visit once again. But that's okay, because as you beautifully put it "Autumn surely mirrors realisation, maturity and wising up", and it's in those lessons that I will never fear it.
This really moved me, Julie, spoke directly to me. That's a rare quality and a very special talent.
Beautiful words. I love Autumn and as I’ve got older have found peace and solace in the British seasons. A constant reminder that ‘this too shall pass’ and the cycle of life will always continue. x