Farewell, old friend. I'll see you again. (1094 hits)
Category: Quotes & StoriesRating: 1.17 on 20 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Hair (View user info) at 2005-03-31 21:01:32 EST
Late afternoon arrives and the chilly fingers of Autumn take my hands and turn my pink skin pale and white. It's time to say goodbye to summer.
Some parts of the street are offering the last of the day's sunshine, warm and welcoming. It's the shade I looked for only a few weeks ago to shield me from heat. Now the same shade is denying us the last of the day's vibrant touch.
We are walking to meet friends through St Kilda's streets. The low, grey clouds are dense and angry, wanting to rain on us but they are still too few, too weak. They just seem to threaten us with their shadow and then break, allowing the fading light to pierce the branches, recently made naked. We jump and walk across the street laughing like children chasing puddles, but we are chasing puddles of warmth. We know better than to run across a street, but it's quiet and we would hear a car coming.
I jump into a pale pool of light and my friend Tamara pushes me playfully out of the way.
"Boys have to let girls do this first" she laughs.
"OK, fine - I will get this one" I bellow, chasing another landing place on the damp street as we make our way along. I kick a large pile of bright, dead leaves. They fall again making a vivid orange and red post-modern dance in the wind.
Our friend lives at the top of a small hill on a popular street. At the intersection we wait for cars zipping by, as if the cold weather has made them more intent to go home. A month ago on such an afternoon they would have driven slower, with the windows down, music up... relaxed. Now winter is approaching and the leaves are stuck under the wipers, it's more important to be somewhere than to be going somewhere. I will miss summer's laziness, the feeling that the journey was the essence of the trip. Now it's the destination.
We arrive at our friend's house to collect him. For the first time this year, my knuckles sting when rapping at the door. It's a reminder of the changes and differences we have to once again meet. Loz opens the door and welcomes us inside, the wind blows the door out of his hand and he catches it and closes it behind us.
"Summer's gone..." he says with a wink "that means better nightclubbing!"
"Yeah." He's right.
"Let's go, Fiona is already here and we want to get a seat at Pelican"
We walk down the front steps as quickly as we walked up them; it's a quick visit, just a place to meet. Loz and Fiona zip up their jackets and ensure their scarves are snug for the short walk to our favourite bar, closing the door with a thud.
Tamara and Fiona walk in front together, excitedly talking about this season's winter boots, where to get them and asking each other what other colours they have. They grab each other's arms and coo over things that boys just don't understand.
We walk down Acland Street past the Prince of Wales Hotel, and see huddles people on the outdoor tables, shoulder to shoulder drinking beer. The sun is setting on the day, and on the season. Loz and I ask each other why they would bother pretending, we guess it's been a good summer and some people just need to push the season out. As we walk past we notice the first football scarves of the year, and that prompts our discussion.
"C'mon the Sainters" I barrack to no one. I tell Loz how much of a chance I think St Kilda have this year, how strong the team is and how stacking it with young players is paying off a dividend. I don't think Loz cared, but he listened politely and smiled as we crossed the road, jogging through cars waiting for red lights to turn green and allow them to go home.
Arriving at our favourite bar we notice our friends are early, the night has fallen quickly and cold darkness doesn't offer an invitation to linger outside, window shopping. I notice the familiar pile of clothes in the corner, jackets, scarves and gloves. It's not yet the dead of winter but Melbourne people like to dress, and I think that there is some excitement in knowing that winter is a time of football, shopping, restaurants and clubbing.
Instead of thirstily drinking beer, we order good red wine, and take our time. We order tapas with less salad leaves and more starchy vegetables. To compensate for the outdoors, we nourish indoors.
We come here often and know the staff well. Che pours another glass of velvety red wine and I ask if he's cold in just a t-shirt and jeans.
"Nah, it's always warm in here, mate."
He's right. Our conversations are lively and we are once again warm together.
I reluctantly accept the southern hemisphere has had our turn. Loki may take the early morning heat, the bright light-filled days; the long, long afternoon shadows, and orange and purple sunsets back to her people. It's time to accept that we have had our turn; we need to change the way we live, if only for a few months.
I'm saddened, but not sad. I know her warm embrace will return and she will be welcomingly received.
So my Northern friends, I reluctantly hand over the joy of nature's strong, warm arms and hope the spring thaws you quickly and greets you with green, fresh hope. Enjoy each comforting, long day of the summer months.
For we will want her back in a matter of time, and she will come to us.
User Reviews
Submitted by Danzxc (user info) at 2005-04-20 09:28:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
This Sucked
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2005-04-06 20:14:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Wazza, actually it's 24 today, it was 26 yesterday. Melbourne loves to string out Autumn for some reason. The 3 Day Forecasts in on www.theage.com.au from Thursday, 7th April 2005:
Friday
Fine. Partly cloudy.
Min: 16CMax: 28C
Saturday
Fine.
Min: 18C Max: 29C
Sunday
Fine.
Min: 20C Max: 29C
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Milder change, then becoming warmer. Mainly fine.
It goes cold, then it warms up again. It keeps doing this until May, but facts would have runined the story.
Submitted by Wazza (user info) at 2005-04-06 04:54:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I bet it's getting cold in Melbourne brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Submitted by Chinaski (user info) at 2005-04-05 23:47:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Gay.
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2005-04-04 23:39:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I love stuff that is Autumnal.
Submitted by Istaros (user info) at 2005-04-04 21:26:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
tell me an autumn story
you divine cockatoo
there's lies in snow,
wakes in light,
between death and life
snores a sweet dreaming sleep
there the dragons are jewels
the horses neigh pristine
susurrations of flowers
escape the grafted woods
on all sides of you
you feel
divinely
autumn
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2005-04-04 19:57:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Summer is my fave time - but winter in some places is really good - Melbourne is good in winter - it's "wintry" without all the snow and fuckuppery that happens when it's always dark and slippery.
Submitted by Istaros (user info) at 2005-04-04 18:20:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
"hot male dot cum"
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA
oh but summer fucking sucks
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2005-04-04 16:16:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I can tell Spring is almost sprung because the prostitutes are back out on New York Avenue.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-04-01 18:36:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
nice pic
Submitted by hairycoo (user info) at 2005-04-01 00:36:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by QueenAshlee (user info) at 2005-04-01 00:10:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
....Wow.
(This review is in response to both the awesomeness of the post and the developing exchange between two of Uber's hottest guys, which will most certainly be what's running through my mind in a few minutes when I go to bed. Naked.)
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2005-03-31 22:38:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
E-mail me - mrbradtoyou.at.hotmail.com and I will be mr bad for you at hot male dot cum.
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2005-03-31 22:32:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Shaddap! My curiosity has been satisfied already. Though I could use a reminder...just kidding...yeah.
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2005-03-31 22:26:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Caulaincourt, are you gettin' all bi-curious around me?
Submitted by transhuman (user info) at 2005-03-31 22:19:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2005-03-31 22:18:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
There's still spots with two feet of snow in my backyard. And my relatives are still riding ski-doos in my hometown.
Me thinks that you've kept some Celcius for yourself in the handover process.
Submitted by Judoka (user info) at 2005-03-31 21:31:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I love summer and the four weeks of vacation it brings.
Thank you very much.
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2005-03-31 21:18:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Everything you ever wanted to know about UnAssKickable
User id: 9962
Registered on or around: 2004-07-02 23:15:30
# Messages posted: 3
# Reviews written: 46
# Times these posts have been reviewed : 66
# Hits: 1420
Average rating of all messages: -1.23
Submitted by UnAssKickable (user info) at 2005-03-31 21:15:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
It was alright, not the greatest but it was alright