Peter Milner
Avenue of Trees
In the avenue
the trees dark
against a sea of golden
and people passing
in between
some quiet, some talking
some kicking through the leaves
orange rust and copper molten
beneath a light-filled canopy
green to yellow
not yet fallen
In such a year
with contagion in the air
and here we are at Autumn
still standing, still walking
seeing the colours
everywhere
but know nearby
eyes are closing
Not our eyes
not now, not here
and I am not dreaming
this colour strewn
succession
and my long breath
will keep at bay
the many monsters stalking
beyond this close horizon
Commentary
An appreciation for being there, under the trees on a gentle day in Autumn in this year of extraordinary threats.
