On this day last week

I walked about four miles

Along a coastal path

To meet a close friend

I passed small tables

On unmade roads

Selling secondhand books

And indoor plants

A warm breeze caressed the sun

Shorts and summer clothes

Were the order of the day

And then it all changed

In a matter of a few hours

The bright summer colours

Faded into violent grey showers

We were told that this weather

Was unusual for September

Vertical winds were to be expected

Madam Autumn had arrived early

Without as much as a written invitation