Golden leaves beneath my feet,
Autumn winds through my hair,
Flowers fade in slow retreat,
Foxes sleeping in their lair.
.
Ashen skies of nimbus flocks,
Shrieking geese flee from the east,
Falling showers of icy drops,
Soaking land, man and beasts.
.
Short days fly from dawn to dusk,
Chill nights sheltered by crackling fire,
Cattle in byre, fed on husks,
Springs green pastures their desire.
.
Boughs of apples creak and groan,
Hazels hardening on the tree,
Fields of stubble, freshly mown,
Swallows gone beyond the seas.
.
Orion’s sword arm held on high,
His flashing belt diamond bright,
The autumn stars invade the sky,
And silvery moon lights up the night.
.
It’s chestnut roasting, marshmallow toasting,
Hot toddies and mulled ales downed,
In the hedgerow robins boasting,
Leafy carpet covers the ground.
.
Autumn, herald for the winter,
All brown and red burnished gold,
Time is passing like a sprinter,
Now the year is growing old.
.
.
By William Hayles
Rambling At The Bridge Head 