Before Autumn by Jayd Green

Before spring the crisp-cold the

splitting seeds the snow-drops.

Fresh rubbery roots digging in,

stones and worms held

hostage.

Before summer the dry earth
crab’s crawling meteor showers

and in the sea shore’s offerings: sandbanks

and splintered shells of molluscs, jellyfish

and sea snails, writhing,

                                                                      before autumn.

Beads of rainwater at the tip of a

dock leaf ladybirds climbing the

shoulders of cathedrals woodlice in

spider webs in the meanwhile cows

laying down ancient sea crashing

bats skimming the river sliced by

sunset moths flee the owl takes

wing and in its silence

                                                                              leaves

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