We picked strawberries this year in April
The punnet was much smaller than usual
After a few weeks the leaves turned brown
The garden’s flowers were rainswept in May
Battered and bruised by unseasonal winds
Many outdoor activities were abandoned
Spring’s evenings spent sheltering from rain
We looked forward to summertime’s freedom
Sadly, June arrived as an almighty heatwave
People cowered indoors to escape the heat
Sun worshippers overcrowded the beaches
Without any rain, grass soon looked like straw
July gave twenty-seven days of rain and cloud
Just four days of sunshine to enjoy outdoors
Dishevelled pansies and roses looked forlorn
Severely weather beaten and mostly untended
Summer seemed to finally arrive during August
The month to catch-up with postponed routines
A time to barbeque and have some fun outdoors
Seasonal changes are taking effect much sooner
There are early hints of autumn with September
A warmth in anticipation of fall’s rustic colours…
Eileen T O’Neill 13/09/2023
This really tells the sad tale, Eileen - unusual weather in all seasons, and no let-up, it seems, with every news broadcast listing some new extreme weather event. One does have to enjoy the good days. So glad you wrote what is happening in your part of the world, Eileen. It would be interesting to know what countries are having normal weather!!!!! Our rainforest, as you know, has been in drought since February with scant rainfall. Wildfires across Canada and the far north. I have never longed for the winter rains so much.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, Eileen, it sounds like you have had a summer of challenging weather. So disappointing, if you are a person who looks forward to summer after experiencing the chill of winter. (I know I do.) It seems if it was not rain, it was extreme heat. I am glad your August was better. Hope you have a colorful October! Good to read your words again!
ReplyDeleteA fine diary . . . everything being later, smaller, unpredictable. And then summer comes, and for four days, forgetfulness arrives with the sun. Who has time for worry? And then August gifts us summer and catch-up time. Anticipation may have enhanced everything.
ReplyDeleteThe first few lines brought so much relief to my soul. We are so much scorched that even words speaking of wetness soothe us. I have recently been to Europe and even there we were burned. I had no idea that even in Switzerland you can't sleep at night without the AC. Love how the poem ends with the autumn colors. Beautiful, Eileen.
ReplyDeleteYes, a beautiful poem!! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteannell livingston
There's nothing less predictable than weather, but the extremes are becoming more frequent and more violent. Hoping you have a long, mild autumn!
ReplyDeleteYour weather seems to have replicated ours this summer. I'm over it and ready for autumn! Already Sept. has been nicer than August.
ReplyDelete...picking strawberries ... seems to be the happiest part of the poem - Weather does play a HUGE role in our enjoyement...
ReplyDeletePicking strawberries sounds fun... But it goes downhill - weather plays such an important role in our enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the good old tongue-twister from my youth:-
ReplyDelete"Whether the weather be fine
or whether the weather be not,
whether the weather be cold
or whether the weather be hot,
we'll weather the weather
whatever the weather,
whether we like it or not."
Thanks for reminding me of it today. :-)
The seasons have gone wonky worldwide. Where you all had 27 days of rain in July, we had as many or more days of no rain. Watering the flowers and young trees were what saved them. Happy you are finally getting some nice weather.
ReplyDeleteWe have been cooler this summer, but then hurricanes in California hardly ever happen --quoting May Fair Lady--well sort of anyway!
ReplyDelete