Climate Change

Funny how a few miles makes such a difference!

The wind is whipping trees

into a frenzy of shaking branches,

blossom is still raining

upon the lawn

as grey clouds scud across

the sky, keeping June's sun

at bay.

 

Meanwhile across the narrow

Channel,

the continent

fries in a heat-wave,

warnings of dire

consequences

for the old and infirm,

for children and animals.

Record temperatures

wafting up from Africa

to bathe and smother

our neighbours

and their neighbours

in cloying, stifling

searing, humid heat.

 

The forecast here is

for clearer weather

by late morning,

so I charge all batteries

and prepare

for a day

catching up with

some overdue gardening,

and hope to get

some sun into

the bargain!

 

27/06/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[kentuck14]

John,
90 +degree F weather here in Kentucky. I'll trade you for some cooler British climes! Your description of your weather reminds me of Roger Whitiker's song about his "land of rainy skies and gales." Hope you got in some gardening!
T

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Tom. Did indeed get some gardening done and more as the garden we have is most demanding on my time. I thank you for the offer but after all the scenes from around the world I may want more sun but I like our less abusive weather loads. Many thanks.

[Chris Shaw]

Oh the fickle weather. You never know what you are going to get. One minute we are stifling in the heat and humidity, the next we are restricted and indoors because of the sheets of rainfall. In Brixham last week, we were only 20 miles away from the other side of the channel. Although our weather was good, it was nothing like the temperatures they were experiencing over the crossing. A visual piece of free verse John, descriptive and nicely penned.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes indeed Chris, even closer to home we have so much variation with 'micro climates'. Many thanks and a good and a sunny Midlands morning to you!

[Chris Shaw]

And sunny in Berkshire too. Good morning.

[Robert Trakofler]

The only way to accurately depict the weather here in Pittsburgh is "bi-polar vortex" it is so inconsistent that its the inconsistency that is now the norm! I want to choke people that say global warming isn't real but it seems the weather will do that for me anyway so I just give them a blank stare and wait for the next inversion... The collective shame of these many societies rains down on us tears. John I couldn't agree with you more my friend but it hurts my soul to be a witness to it all sometimes

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Being an ex mental health professional I love that description of Pittsburgh weather. I guess I am from the age where we know for certain the climate has and is changing. Plantes do have cycles and there is little we can do to thwart these but we can stop acceleration through spreading toxic gases into the atmosphere. Many thanks for this sage comment.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what a voice Bobby had...

and yes, stifling is what we expect most of the summer here in Southern Illinois...
i was wiping my brow as i read this...and felt the humidity pouring off my forehead.

very descriptive...
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed he had and this song is in my bones. Managed four and a half hours of gardening some of it heavy. Needed a shower then a Barbeque in the garden with a beer. Cheers Jacob!