Autumn Takes My Hand

Listen to: Autumn Takes My Hand

Autumn takes my hand to meet grim winter,
Northward, far from where the sultry tropics lie;
Winds stir and wake the grey, slumbering sea,
For now, their foul temper holds sweet and fair.

At sea no turning leaves or autumn fruits
Gild my way to a looming twilight hearth;
No playful seeming nuthatch hides a hoard,
But sunset draws her sullen shadows in.

Like summer now, my life at sea is done,
Though loath to leave I shall not linger long
As winter’s night is loath to leave the day,
And shall leave this ship before winter bites.

With luck to watch migrating birds fly south,
And to sleep without danger’s gnawing doubt.
Location: Western Approaches

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