Footprints

The third and final piece from Kerry Darbishire evokes the changing seasons in nature, but the need for human connection is never far away. Walk with us on this journey through the year and perhaps, think of family and friends you would like to be closer to this year. I hope you’ve enjoyed Kerry’s wonderful poetry as much as I have over the first part of 2021. Lucy x

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Footprints

Give me yellow storm light
Give me the smell of damp moss
Give me a pheasant crowing the high fell
Give me the first cuckoo calling the valley
Give me a wren jigging in the clematis bough
Give me a pink rose hanging on to December
jasmine clinging to January

Give me mist on the river
Give me an orchard in Autumn
   a squirrel leaping branch to branch
   a walnut in its mouth
Give me stars around a solstice moon
Give me my baby’s laughter
   her pillowy cheeks warm in mine
Give me the first time you watched me
   tie my shoelaces

Give me snowflakes against my window
Give me the strength of snowdrops
the heart of a swallow diving into a byre
Give me hoar frost on blackthorn berries
   scent of violets in the ghyll
Give me the taste of clover       
   my first kiss

Give me the sound of geese in a November sky
Give me their wings warm as breath
Give me my father’s voice through swollen nights
   his lion’s share of loneliness
   his knee to sit on
   his warm hands holding back the hour
Give me a walk through deep snow
   pure as a new page
Give me his footprints
   to jump in