The temperature is dropping to 0°C at night 
Lying in bed, trying to sleep 
I hear that stairs creek
As it shrinks and pulls tight 
For a moment I wonder 
If someone is creeping 
Up the stairs. 

In the early morning light 
I see a dusting of frost
Leaves looking sugar coated and crispy. 
Today is sunny, 
A perfect opportunity 
To work in the garden.

Donned with gardening gloves 
And scarf swaddling my neck
Tucked firmly into my work clothes 
I brave the cold
Marvel at the frost
And wonder how 
Little birds keep 
Their feet warm.

When I have finished 
Tackling the old, broken compost heap
Preparing for the new one
I see a little friend 
'Hello' I say
He doesn't like me 
Tweeting birdsong to him.
He prefers human language.

I become aware of the invisible space 
Where I share and connect with the bird.
I'm quiet, I stand still 
And watch.
I know why he has come.
I have disturbed the environment,
The insects are moving about.

I stand still 
And watch
And he swivels his head at me
He watches and waits
I stand still, just breathing 
Aware of my invisible 
Space inside me,
And the space between us.
We connect 
I say hello again 
He does not fly away.
He seems reassured 
And he flies down to gobble up
The insects.

He is the robin
Who visits my garden 
When I am raking, digging,
And disturbing the earth 

I sit under the canopy of trees
My private little forest 
Listening to the crow, the jackdaw,
The robin and more
It's like a surround sound 
Chorus of birds 
As I feel the dappled sun
On my body.

It's funny how we humans 
Want to record the moment 
In poetry, photos, or
pressing autumn leaves
Instead of just being 
With nature and oneself.


For me living in that invisible space 
On my own in the moment 
Is the most precious place to be
It feeds my soul 
I feel at one with the earth 
And it's creatures 
I have no need to speak to anyone ....

Yet here I am telling you.

A note from me: I love emulating bird calls and I have noticed many birds answer back when I do but the robin flies away when I try to make robin sounds but if I talk to the robin it stays.

I hope you are enjoying the changes of the season.

Take care.

~Morag Noffke ~