The seeds of Marc Latham’s latest Folding Mirror poem have been spinning around in his mind since last autumn, when he saw what he knew as a ‘helicopter’ flying down from tree to Earth.
Autumn Skies Provide Inspiration for Poetry
It was on a nice sunny day walking on Otley Ridge funnily enough, where J.M.W. Turner is thought to have found the inspiration to paint Hannibal Crossing the Alps during very different weather; a thunder storm.
After a little research (mostly on wikipedia) for the poem, Marc learnt that the ‘helicopters’ are seed carrying fruits more scientifically known as samaras, and other ‘nicknames’ include whirlybird, spinning jenny and polynose. These helped form the lower half of the poem. Here it is:
Autumn Air Spins Summer Samaras to Equinox Earth
in spring we emerged up high
branches provided home and shelter
all summer we drew strength from the sun
seeds of elm and hoptree in the centre
maple and ash to one side
hidden away amongst leaves
mostly unnoticed
until the time arrives to release and fly
sad to leave, but we carry future growth
from the canopy we are freed for one flight
spin for distance, more wind means greater range
each of us flying to provide future trees
delighting humanity
whirlybird on strong wind
helicopter rotates in a dizzy state
spinning jenny dances in tune with the season
polynose dives down en masse seeming to race
to Earth’s cradle we fall
and rest hoping our seed survives
mistYmuse 