Gone the heat of summer days
and fear of fires raging in the hills.
Autumn is my favourite time of year,
a time to gather firewood, to stack the heaps
against the wall of my verandah.
A time for clearing out the wardrobe –
Sew a button on that coat, polish boots and
hope my last year’s trousers haven’t shrunk.
With warmer clothes come fluffy slippers,
electric blankets, water bottles, an extra doona on the bed.
We check our home heating – electric, gas
or good old-fashioned fire.
We clear the gutters, store away the barbecue
and summer’s other chattels.