It was hot you would have been forgiven

For thinking it was June, 

Or you were somewhere abroad

Until you caught Autumn, ruddy faced,

Peeking over the leaves on the common.

Everything smelled of sweat and melting ice cream

But we relished it, sucking in the last rays until

Our teeth glowed, sugared and golden.

I could smell London on your skin, some

sticky sweet cocktail of sun cream 

And exhaust fumes.

You rolled over on the lawn [indifferent 

To your new grassy coating],

And followed the sun westwards

As it carried off the sound of sirens

Rolling away into the fading year.