In Parliament, the Minister for Mists
and Mellow Fruitfulness announces,
that owing to inflation and rising costs
there will be no Autumn next year.
September, October and November
are to be cancelled,
and the Government to bring in
the nine-month year instead.
Thus we will all live longer.
Emergency measures are to be introduced
to combat outbreaks of well-being
and feelings of elation inspired by the season.
Breathtaking sunsets will be restricted
to alternate Fridays, and gentle dusks
prohibited. Fallen leaves will be outlawed,
and persons found in possession of conkers,
imprisoned without trial.
Thus we will all work harder.
The announcement caused little reaction.
People either way don't really care
No time have they to stand and stare
Looking for work or slaving away
Just another Autumn day.
Roger McGough
Blogger's Note:
As my baby boy and I ate breakfast this morning, we were accompanied by Radio 4. The presenters and interviewees were busy describing and analysing the latest "developments" in the Eurozone (possibly fed more by the pressure of 24-hour news coverage than actual news), and I wondered whether the whole thing was part of a ploy to force undemocratic and unpopular changes to the nature of Europe. Then I turned the radio off and picked up one of my favourite poetry collections to read to the both of us. "Just Another Autumn Day" happened to be one of the poems I came to and it seemed pertinent so I thought I'd share it. Personally, I need reminding every now and again not to allow myself to become distracted by nonsense.
