I saw the Weekly Wednesday Prompt today was AUTUMN STROLLS. I have already had one, and have more planned. I wanted to write about what they mean to me. I am concerned that autumn is dragging my spirits down to the mud and mire. So will autumn strolls help me? I think I know the answer to that:
When I walk alone….
Autumn strolls are for denying that summer has ended
Autumn strolls are for bracing myself for a hard winter ahead
Autumn strolls are for desperately clinging to colour and cheer
Autumn strolls are for wondering why we have to go through this again
Autumn strolls are for wishing we could just hibernate
Autumn strolls are for feeling lost and lonely and unloved
Autumn strolls are for churning up all the pain that passed before
Autumn strolls are for intensifying guilt and regret
Autumn strolls are for asking heaven why?….just why?
Autumn strolls are for admitting that inside something is dying
When I walk with friends…
Autumn strolls are for the crunch of dry leaves underfoot
Autumn strolls are for shrieks of laughter echoing through forest
Autumn strolls are for gigantic conquer battles
Autumn strolls are for revealing our fear and unburdening our hearts
Autumn strolls are for comfort and warmth from those who love us
Autumn strolls are for linking arms and bear-like hugs
Autumn strolls are for hot soup and buttered toast
Autumn strolls are for hot chocolate and smores
Autumn strolls are for pledges that we’ll be there for one another
Autumn strolls are for promises that spring will come again
Which is why I have learnt that I ought to take autumn strolls with my friends and not on my own. For too many times I have been out walking on my own through the decaying woodlands, I have wanted to give up. I have felt my legs and my heart giving way to the burden they carry. I have wanted to sit down and wallow in the dried out leaves and wait for moss and fern to cover me.
At this time of year when dark invades the day, and death encroaches on life, I need my friends more than ever. Which is why the prospect of social distancing throughout the coming months frightens me. We can’t meet indoors. So we will have no choice but to take many autumn (and winter) strolls so that I am not swallowed up by the gloom and frigidity of these weeks and months ahead.
RASPBERRY RIPPLES 