Autumn Lea at Ware

The air holds a sharp edge today, beside the reflective water.

The towpath unwinds like a length of vibrant red and orange ribbon.

Willow branches drag in the slow current, stripped down to yellow bone,

catching small drifting fleets of copper and bruised-gold leaves.

My boots crunch on empty acorn cups.

Somewhere ahead, a mallard cuts a wake through the glass,

fracturing the reflection of a low, pale sun.

There is no hurry here.

Only the heavy pull of the river, and the quiet shedding of the year.

Original available for purchase:

100 x 50 CM oil on stretched canvas. £345