As Flowers Wither

Autumn is gently knocking at the door, as the days grow shorter, rain-soaked, and undeniably cosier. There’s a certain magic in the crisp autumn air that makes the delicate syllables of poetry drift down like leaves from the trees, harmoniously capturing the graceful, ever-unfolding transformation of nature.

Courtesy of Saint Laurent, shared via Vogue Business

Nothing complements each other like art and nature. One always seems to reflect the other, flowing together like water, intertwined at the deepest level of inspiration. We sing about it in songs, see it vividly expressed on canvases, and encounter it in the pages of literature. As nature shifts, so too do our habits, with the changing seasons mirrored in our own internal landscapes. There's a familiar feeling, almost like a déjà vu of nostalgia, that returns each year, season after season. By mid-September, we leave behind the sunny days, festive trips to the beach, a summer cocktail in hand and a sun-kissed smile on our face - replacing them with woollen blankets, grand knitted sweaters, and a warm embrace of the browns and golds from the turning leaves. Poetry is the perfect way to ease into this seasonal transition, embracing the beauty of falling leaves and cooling temperatures. So, cuddle up with three exquisite poems that speak to our ever-evolving connection with Mother Nature.

‘Autumn Song’ by Sarojini Naidu

Like a joy on the heart of a sorrow,
The sunset hangs on a cloud;
A golden storm of glittering sheaves,
Of fair and frail and fluttering leaves,
The wild wind blows in a cloud.
Hark to a voice that is calling
To my heart in the voice of the wind:
My heart is weary and sad and alone,
For its dreams like the fluttering leaves have gone,
And why should I stay behind?

Beautiful in its simplicity, this poem is a rare gem that captures our deepest, unspoken emotions. No other season, with its withering flowers and falling leaves, strikes such a delicate balance between comfort and the quiet loneliness it stirs within us. Autumn, despite its cosy allure, speaks directly to the solitude we feel when the sun retreats from the sky, and we retreat indoors. Through vivid contrasts - joy and sorrow, beauty and decay - the poem masterfully personifies autumn, embodying the shifting emotions of the season. It reflects the scattering of dreams, much like fallen leaves blown away by the wind. Strikingly beautiful, the poem explores the deeper feelings of uncertainty, prompting us to question what remains for us in this time of change and loss. Autumn, after all, is the season of transformation, where the fleeting nature of life becomes more evident than ever.

‘To Autumn’ by John Keats

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep,
Drows’d with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cider-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings, hours by hours.
Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

Autumn is a season of profound transformation, rich in its own unique way; it is the perfect backdrop for a generous dose of romantic poetry. This poem embodies such sentiment, expressing a deep appreciation for the autumn season through its themes of abundance and the beauty of life in transition. Each of the three stanzas celebrates different aspects of autumn. The first stanza talks about autumn as a time of ripeness and plenty, working in harmony with the sun to bless the earth. The second stanza depicts scenes of harvest and repose, capturing both industriousness and tranquillity. The third stanza beautifully reflects on the melancholy of change, portraying autumn with its own distinct charm and capturing the shifting colours as the season progresses. This poem evokes a yearning for the beauty inherent in autumn, standing as a vibrant and optimistic tribute to the season. It honours nature, the cycles of time, and the fleeting nature of existence with a touch of nostalgia and acceptance, all through a romantic lens rich in emotional depth. It’s a poem that warms the heart during this time of transition.

‘The Autumn Song’ by William H. Davies

When the leaves, in their golden glory,
Are fluttering down to the ground,
And the autumn wind is roaring
Through the trees with a mournful sound,
It’s then I think of the autumn,
When the days grow short and cold,
And the golden leaves are falling
Like a shower of shining gold.
Oh, the autumn is a season
When the world seems to stand still,
And the fields are rich with harvest,
And the forests are still and chill.
It’s a time of rest and quiet,
When the world seems to be at peace,
And the autumn leaves are lying
In a golden, sunlit fleece.
So let us all be thankful
For the autumn's quiet grace,
And let us cherish the moment
As we see the leaves embrace.
For the autumn is a season
That brings us peace and cheer,
And the golden leaves are falling
As we welcome in the year.

This poem profoundly touches the depth of our hearts with its evocative use of colour and vivid descriptions of emotion. It instils a sense of peace, celebrating the transition from the warmth of summer to the cooler embrace of autumn. By depicting autumn as a time of tranquillity and abundance, it evokes a deep yearning for these golden days. The rich imagery, describing autumn’s “shower of shining gold" and its "rest and quiet," paints a serene picture of the season. The rhythmic tone and simple rhymes convey a deep appreciation for autumn, enhancing its soothing, calming quality. More than just an ode to the season, this poem is a tribute to the beauty and solace found in change. It invites us to embrace and cherish the quieter, more peaceful moments that autumn brings with its falling leaves.

Poetry is a corner of literature that captures the full spectrum of our emotions. Autumn is the perfect season to pause and immerse yourself in these feelings, wrapping yourself in the warmth of poetry and solitude. Just as seasons fleet, so do our moments. Embrace this time of change and find solace in works of art that beautifully reflect it. How will you embrace art in nature’s transition this season?