Celebrate. A Poem.
Fire embers
Image | Charlie Rawson
We are unbound,
This time of year falls from green to gold
a cascading lightlessness that sits upon the horizon.
Summer’s wild still fills our head and melts into the glow of the bonfire embers
Glowing from what came before
Warming us from the inside out
Each morning the trees grow lighter and their illumination spreads
as hands pass over faces.
Time is slipping through our branches
And the wind is picking up to whisk tomorrow’s warmth away.
Driven deeper into the hearts of voices, these aural traditions resonate on the breeze.
This land is not ours—we are caretakers.
Exhilarated by this clarity of air, the fresh northerly brings a chill
One we remember
What is to come seeps through the window sill
Onto the hearth and into our bellies
Soup and stew
bakes and brews.
Sharing delights of gathering nights
Together we see in the Winter.
But this year is different as we keep being told
Hands open
Face unbroken
Space between us.
The children hear their dreams untold
Unsure
Unearth your roots and listen to your ancestors
bringing strength and wisdom through the call of the seasons.
The Sun and Moon have seen this all before,
Wholeness, earthliness.
Mistakes and misplacements.
We are human.
Grounded in the bodies we inhabit, to be grateful with the rising of each morning.
Celebrations come from within
They are small and full of love.
Celebrate the mothers of your village
Lift up the children
Generosity of time,
imagination
and heart.
Healed and bound by this season of darkness, we’re hosting joy in this body unknown.
And, knowing that we are all absolutely average
respect the preciousness of nature.
Share in the magic and take solace from the fact that we are not the first.
And we will not be the last.
To walk or to move, to think and to breathe is
to celebrate.
Autumn tree
Image | Charlie Rawson
Charlie Rawson lives in Bristol, England, and has visited, worked or studied in 33 countries so is an experienced and vibrant traveller and teacher. With Celtic blood and a love of culture and languages, she continues these passions through hiking, guiding and writing. She is available for UK and European tours (Travel with Charlie Rawson), and for those unable to travel, Charlie offers virtual tours throughout the UK. She also writes personalized travel poetry recapturing your treasured travel memories. Charlie hosts global travel planning sessions and leads classes in wellbeing for healthy and happy travels. You can follow Charlie on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
