The longest days

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 fading 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.