the silence of parks is fleeting
under the wide oak trees
that shelter us from
empty fireworks
spotlights that search for our bodies
words that form in the leaves
interpret the warning
no more conkers
the spiky husks have dulled to brown
they mix with all the rest
a sea of autumn red
embellishes
we lock the back door behind us
shoes dumped next to wellies
mud scrubbed off trousers
hide it all away