December 10th

tumult of groans for

the platform alteration

waddle, grumble, scowl

What a miserable monday morning. It was freezing, all the commuters at Flitwick doing their normal huddling round the tiny stretches of platform where the train doors will open (prior to the train arriving). Oh it makes me sad to see people indignify themselves so. So it cheered me up when they made a platform alteration as the lights of the train in the distance were getting brighter and brighter. Cue the mass migration of the miserable gnus running up the stairs and down the others to get to the other platform before the train left without them. Oh it cheers me to see people’s routine shattered, especially when they are acting like bell ends.

December 7th

the old church tower

reflected in the mirror

of the blue floodplain

We drove through the Box End area of Bedfordshire, a flat expanse now intersected with a new bypass. The road is built up higher than the field level, clearly for a reason as the plain was flooded on either side of it. The day was cold, but still and sunny, the sky was blue and it was mirrored in the pools of water. A stirring scene!

November 2nd

the meek sun revives

stone hearts warm and swell with blood

Lazarus life light

On cold days the sun provides that warmth to lift even the coldest heart, to force a smile, to melt, even by a tiny amount, a sadness. Here are some photos I took in Centenary Wood and the place I keep returning to, the Pond on the moors. That solitary swan seems to be living there now, it makes me sad to think he or she might have lost their mate.

All copyright to photos © Mel Melis

October 30th

Frost at the fringes

promised return, patient days

waits in rain and dew

 

There’s a discernable drop in temperature!

October 15th

the blue spark ignites

reverence of fire makers

soul nourished, bones warmed

We lit our first fire of the Autumn. It’s getting cold.

October 7th

 

Restless Little Owl

calls to Selene’s bright shilling

the oak slumbers on

There was an owl, probably in the oak, in the early hours. The moon, even though it wasn’t full, was bright. Shining right through the tree. I noticed my breath steaming for the first time this autumn. It’s getting cold.

October 2nd

 

the red rain of leaves

trees shed their summer colours

ready for the cold

September 23rd

 

Night circles the Day

shears the edges with winter

blades and rain soaked chill

I heard on the weather report that the day is now officially shorter than night, the autumn solstice has passed. Of course it’s an inevitability with the change in the seasons. But to hear it brought it home. The weather is gloomy and wet. I think I’ve had my last day of the year without needing a jacket. As they say in Game of Thrones, Winter is Coming.

July 10th

a chill needle bites

a dab of heat to quell it

elusive summer

Or more aptly, rain, rain and more pissing rain.

June 11th

Loyal familiar

rope creaks, body twists in breeze

an angry rain comes

There was a small display about Matthew Hopkins, Witchfinder General in the Aldeburgh Museum / Moot Hall. It was a dreadful, rainy cold day.

For every innocent woman hanged, I wondered if there was ever a malevolent witch who wreaked revenge in her death. Hopkins seemed like a deeply unpleasant character.

Note the names of the familiars in the pic below (from Hopkins book), fascinating. “My imps names are…. Pyewackett, Ilemauzer, Griezzell Greedigutt, Vinegar Tom etc… (the last of which looks like a cross between a greyhound and a bull).

Dreadful weather… view from our window.

May 15th

 

Run, wind whipped beast flayed

the cold weight of rain burdens

Feral teeth laid bare

It was bloody cold playing football, I was soaked. My hands were shaking. This sounds really whingey I’m sure, but it shows heavy rain chills the bones more than cold air. I’ve played in the winter, but it didn’t rain. Just goes to show, you have to keep moving, keep your core temperature up! Don’t stop!

And we lost. I actually played better when I got cold though, cold also focuses the mind, made me more impulsive in my decision making, brings out the primitive part of the brain when the body feels threatened (and made me less lazy).

I’m an animal. haha.

April 27th

Sheep sewn like buttons

rain flattened bodies shiver

curls drip in their eyes

tumbled in valleys

they look toward the hill crest

beckoning blue sings

Two Haikus squashed together today. Although strictly you don’t have to follow the 5-7-5 structure, I have to date. So it was quite nice that these two worked so well together.

The story behind today’s offering is as follows: As I drove home from work in the horrible dark rain, I saw a flock of unhappy sheep on the lower slopes of Pegsdon Hills, they were utterly drenched, the poor things, looked like they had sunk into the earth, squashed little cotton buds, mushrooms or indeed buttons sewn into the hillside. They looked like they were freezing cold, you couldn’t see their faces because their fringes were slapped in their eyes. I wasn’t sure whether they could see a little hint of a blue sky at the crest of the hill, but it was there. Sadly it was late in the evening, so whatever brief respite from the rain they did get, wouldn’t have dried them out.

April 20th

Tentative caress

then a roaring rage of hail

crashing onto glass

 

I like watching people run for it when the sky opens. There was quite a powerful hail shower when I was in the Stevenage office. From humble starts the hail suddenly unleashes. I only take a small bit of pleasure watching people skip through the car park, getting pelted!

March 31st

Winter blows a kiss

A stony chill descending

Grey squirrel grey sky

February 10th

 

Cold paddock pickings,

Silly birds come get some treats,

Nuts and seeds to eat.

 

Why aren’t they coming to my window bird feeder?

February 4th

 

Shadow slips between,

The callow long limbed alders,

Harp strings, ice murmurs.

 

The cold ripped the breath from my throat this morning. Although the sun was shining, it was minus 7C when I headed off to walk to the station around 8.30am. As I knew the moors would be frozen I took the scenic route. I’m glad I did. I walked past the big bunch of alder trees and took the photo below.

There’s something serene about a sunny and freezing winters morning, but only if you’re wrapped up warm enough to appreciate it!