The longest days

Pelargoniums and petunias.

The last day of June.

The blood-red blooms

of pelargoniums

spill from their pots.

Petunias, so pink it hurts

blare their petal trumpets.

Sweet peas go to seed,

climbing the honeysuckle.

Pink petals fade to purple.

White currants and apples

balloon, warmed by the heat.

It's hard to imagine

damp December, grey days

in this living, breathing space.

Colour gone. Exsanguinated.

Pelargoniums interred

indoors, amid the jolly holly.