By Maria Millers
September, and the wattle blooms
in brilliant yellow.
It is the first sign
that winter is losing its grip.
The air softens,
and the sun comes in earlier.
Kate Llewellyn September
Only days away from Spring we are still caught in that fag end of winter with its lingering cold but in anticipation of warmer weather being not too far away.
But even though the days are getting longer and sunnier the heaters are still on and so too are our winter clothes.
At least in our part of the country.
Spring in Australia can be quite variable, with some regions experiencing late cold snaps or early heatwaves.
Coastal areas might still have cool ocean breezes, while inland regions warm up more quickly as we saw this week in central and north Australia.
And then there is always the possibility of the sudden storm.
As Judith Beveridge reminds us.
It was so light, the rain was,
just misting over,
when suddenly the day was ripped apart
by ice coming down like nails.
The air was filled with flying grit,
and there was no sound,
except the sound of hail
smashing down, hard as regret.
Still all around us nature is stirring: The songs of many birds back from their summer sojourns are heard once more in our backyards.
Wattles are putting on their annual patriotic show of national colours.
The gold blazing against the dark green of our bush, followed by a support act of exotic daffodils appearing across lawns, under trees and for sale in buckets on the side of the road.
Blossoms are breaking out all over our suburbs either in bridal white or soft bridesmaid pinks.
And the air is beginning to smell different, the wind carrying the scent of new growth including the familiar whiff of onion weed, the bane of dedicated gardeners.
Spring is also a time of vibrant blooming for many native plants. Iconic Australian flowers like wattle, bottlebrush, and kangaroo paw come into full bloom, adding bursts of colour to the landscape.
Wildflowers, particularly in Western Australia, create stunning displays across fields and national parks.
Wattle Day is celebrated on 1 September, the first day of spring.
Australia has relatively few deciduous trees that are indigenous, as most of the native Australian flora is evergreen, having adapted to our country’s unique climate and conditions.
However, there are some notable exceptions: The semi deciduous Australian Red Cedar and the Illawarra Flame Tree, but many exotics have been planted and have become part of our landscape.
There is something wonderful about the coming into leaf of deciduous trees with the delicate colour of the unfurling leaves as captured by Robert Frost in a poem that reminds us of the transience of existence : Nothing Gold Can Stay.
Nature’s first green is gold,/Her hardest hue to hold./Her early leaf’s a flower;/But only so an hour./Then leaf subsides to leaf./So Eden sank to grief,/So dawn goes down to day./Nothing gold can stay.
Traditionally the coming of spring meant it was time for the ritual of Spring Cleaning.
To open up the house to fresh air, to tackle all those accumulated chores on hold during winter
And the jettisoning of all the unused and unwanted stuff that has accumulated over the cold months.
If we are prepared to do this kind of spring cleaning there’s no reason why not to look at decluttering some of the emotional and psychological negatives we have been holding on to.
For some it has been a tough winter and the gloom of daily news is still hanging around like a fog.
A good time to remove all the self-doubt, worry, jealousy, regret, anger, guilt, or any other negative emotions that are holding you back from your happy, fulfilled life.”
It’s common to be affected by changing seasons and weather, or to have times of the year when you feel more or less comfortable.
For some people this can lead to what is called seasonal affective disorder SAD a type of depression that comes and goes according to the season.
The incidence of SAD in Australia is very low.
For Dorothy Porter the season of Spring is all positive.
Springtime
Springtime, with its brilliant anarchy,
is sweet to everyone.
Even the bones of the poor
rattle like xylophones in the wind.
The rich man
forgets for a moment his investments,
the madman
forgets for a moment his pain.
The loveless, like me,
watch and listen,
to all that whistling and caroling,
the blazonry of petals,
and don’t even try
not to feel good.
Spring in Australia is a season of growth, renewal, and vibrant natural beauty, with the country’s diverse ecosystems responding to the changing conditions in different ways.
It is a season to be embraced and enjoyed.
Woorilla Virtual Poetry Event Tuesday, 27 August at 6.30 pm.
Visit woorilla.org.au
