A space.. time to reflect.. the midwinter solstice – to think about the returning light and also to relax gently into the kind dark and think about that too…

A time for hibernation, for sleep and dreams, for stories, for walks gathering green foliage and berries, for feeding the birds and others, for candles by the fire..

For watching the sun rise and set across the skies and standing still to look for longer

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watching the sun rise

and within a few hours

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watching the sun set

A time for deep gratitude

I saw colours and shared colours

the sense of arrival when reaching the footpath only a few steps from home – cold air, low sharp sun

leaving behind the scent of the woodburner encircling the house

strong light changing and shifting with the cloud cover

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the icy rain fell all night, today the birds are hungry – sound of wings in flight crossing the field and a buzzard calling

I am glad of the grey beanie hat I knitted – greys in clouds and sky

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Making tracks – mark making

the human footpaths worn with wear and today the tracks of feet sliding in the mud

the desire lines of creatures across the space, their marks and paths

Standing still or walking so gently – the fieldfares need to feed before dusk arrives

Home and the smell of wood – so the colours and tones of greys and oranges today

sunrises for advent – yesterday and this morning

low sun, scenes to stand and gaze upon and absorb their utter beauty

colours that deepen, intensify, flare and then dissolve

time – making time – to watch what lasts for a short but intense amount of moments

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this morning dawned frosty so the walk was early and together

no written documentation as the shared experience was precious

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skies

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frosted undulating ground, beautiful soft blending tree colours, sharply contrasting skies

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edges

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paths through the skies and on the earth

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sweet tasting apples – on falling speared by the hedge which caught them

in front of me on my walk is sunset

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behind me moonrise

the vibrant warmth of colours in sunset drawing me on

the cool calm beauty of moonrise on my return

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today was about thinking – gathering thoughts – words for colour

words such as apricot sky or lemon yellow leaves, bottle green ivy

wondering about other terms – dusky lavender sky, ivy green leaves, sharp winter jasmine yellow

Seedheads, mist, sometimes drizzle

Subtle beauty that softens the soul

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documenting the days through images, concertina booklets with quick writings and colour impressions that capture my attention

rusted brambles, the red spots like unripe berries on decaying leaves

white flowers still – all life stages working together in the same season – wine red stems, glossy greens, fading lemon yellow and pale greens

vigorous arching stems rooting across the field and encircling

rooks circling from the willow tree and the poplar, calling out

thorns catch in my hair and the hem of my skirt

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Just watching …

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wind and rain all night and day

As I slide and glide on the muddy path the yellows are sharp in the gloom

Like tiny lanterns they shimmer with energy

No birdsong, only the percussion of rain on my hood, rhythmic and punctuated by the yellow leaves guiding my way

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Home the sky turns from charcoal to pinks and then mauve

The coppers and reds glow as though lit in a theatre, then the sunset is over as swiftly as it began

A solitary blackbird pecks for insects and worms in the beech leaves tucked under the eaves

Inside, as I peel off wet clothing and prepare a cup of tea with thankfulness, my eyes fill with tears for all those who are homeless