Leaves are turning golden and there is a distinctly autumnal chill in the air. It is no surprise that many poets find inspiration in this season of change, including our poem of the week, ‘Autumn’ by Norman MacCaig.

Autumn
Wanting to go,
all the leaves want to go
though they have achieved
their kingly robes.

Weary of colours,
they think of black earth,
they think of
white snow.

Stealthily, delicately
as a safebreaker
they unlock themselves
from branches.

And from their royal towers
they sift silently down
to become part of
the proletariat of mud.