Scenes of Autumn - Diane Scantlebury

The biting north wind
Brings a harsh seasonal chill,
Scoops up the fallen golden leaves
Letting them swirl where they will,
The drains and lanes
To choke and to fill,

Spiky horse chestnuts
Career and crash to the ground,
Releasing shiny conkers
To roll haphazardly around,
For the tiny, frozen fingers
Of gleeful children to be found,

The air is thick with the reek of bonfires
Thoughts turn
To witches and ghouls,
Halloween, pumpkins and parties
The treat or trick so cruel,
Amusement for the wicked
The shallow delight of fools.

Diane Scantlebury