So what are your thoughts about this quotation from A Vagabond Song by the Canadian poet Bliss Carman?
“There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir: We must rise and follow her, When from every hill of flame She calls, and calls each vagabond by name.”
Those of you who know me best will know exactly what my thoughts are…
Does the month of October stir something of the vagabond in you? Do you feel the special power of the autumn call to you in a way which is mystical or romantic?
October certainly signals the beginning of autumn and the absolute end of summer. And what a summer it’s been. Long. Hot. Filled with wonderful days and special people.
But it’s no longer light and sunny when we wake up at six o’clock. The woodlands feel very different now. The scorched yellow grass has been replaced by a carpet of green. All the blackberries have gone. The leaves are russet .
I love Keats’ line ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,’ from his poem about autumn. It tells us that it’s a peaceful time of abundance and reflection. Ripeness. Sweetness. Harvests of apples and nuts and vegetables. Plenty to go round.
But this summer has seen hot weather records broken, droughts, major damage from fires. Climate change has made heatwaves more frequent and more severe.
Today, this blog is just about the end of summer, and the new sweetness autumn brings.
Those of you who are of a romantic disposition will already be thinking of cosy autumn things – log fires, hot water bottles, chocolate in mugs topped with marshmallows. Thick woollen socks and bobble hats, Hallowe’en, bonfire night, pumpkins and the aroma of spices.
In the USA, there’s the joy of feasting, families together celebrating Thanksgiving. I’ve even heard of an event called Friendsgiving. It’s certainly time to count our blessings and give thanks.
Before the real cold weather comes in, the onslaught of winter winds and icy rains.
Then again, winter has its positives. More about those later, maybe.
For me personally, the summer has been a time of editing my next novels – I now need to write a few. My cozy crime series is in full swing, the next one being A Body in Bordeaux, the second in the Archie Darling series out on January 1st. And on November 5th, Golden Days at the Vintage Volumes Bookshop is published, (I know you’ll love both books).
In March, my next Elena Collins novel comes out. It’s witchy and atmospheric. The title isn’t released yet so watch this space. I’ve spent a lot of time in the editing cave. No holidays this year for me, but it’s been worth it to see all the good work coming to fruition.
Like the fruits and the abundance that are harvested in autumn. Now it’s time to breathe. To take stock, To give thanks to God or Nature or Gaia the goddess of the earth or friends and family. It’s a time of celebration and reflection. For those of you who enjoy Hallowe’en, Samhain marks the end of the harvest and the start of winter.
I hope you’ll all be able to settle down in the warm and enjoy a good book. I have three new ones being published in the space of five months, so please do check them out.
So back to the Canadian poet Bliss Carman, and how autumn stirs our vagabond souls to revel in the joys of the post-summer months. I wish you joy and health and happiness this autumn, (or this fall, if you’re from the US,) and may the rest of this year be wonderful.
It’ll soon be Christmas. Happy reading. Happy days! x
