Red-Headed

Fresh tears in my eyes as I view autumnal leaves
With the gnarled foliage tumbling onto asphalt.

The cold wind bites me with its inclemency
But I persevere along the road to somewhere.

Dancing in front of my face the amber pages spin
Pirouetting a final downward spiral to oblivion.

No doubt to start a new cycle of decay & birth;
Phoenixes that will arise from Bonfire Night ashes.

'Penny for the Guy, penny for the Guy'; I hear.
A penny for my thoughts maybe, maybe more ...

Maybe I will eat traditional hot groaty pudding
As Guido's effigy is similarly consumed by tongues of fire.

These are not my hands! This cold November night.
They are the dry leaves of the Conker trees.

The tears are dry now, like my Horse Chestnut hands.
The warm bonfire of my soul awaits the firework display.





In the United Kingdom & some Commonwealth countries November the fifth is 'Bonfire Night'. Although the actual burning of a human effigy on a bonfire around this time of year is ancient & is probably more related to the Celtic New Year, it has been a celebration of the uncovering & thwarting of the infamous 'Gunpowder Plot' since 1605. The 'effigy' is now of Guido (Guy) Fawkes. Firework displays are also common on this night. In some parts of the Midlands (especially the Black Country) 'groaty pudding' sometimes known as groaty (or grorty) dick is traditionally consumed.


Remember, remember, the fifth of November...