standing in the dark sniffing last year's horse chestnuts

I think this supercedes my other Autumn poems...

This Was Once a Good Poem

but it has eaten cheese and pickle rolls for a week now

and it can’t work out why the vitamins aren’t working.

It rocks in the chair until its eyes are too tired to see

and has scared itself with thoughts of Autumn spiders

under glasses in the hallway.

It is wondering if it is true that conkers in corners

keep arachnids at bay

and is now standing in the dark

sniffing last year’s horse chestnuts

desperate to find their scent.

The poem began forming during an Arvon Masterclass run by Caroline Bird and I wanted it to become a little whole thing of its own. It was then published by Ink, Sweat and Tears as part of their 'Choice' themed National Poetry Day feature 2021. I love the Ink Sweat and Tears site all year round and thoroughly enjoy exploring the poems chosen for the annual celebration of National Poetry day.

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