Poetry for all seasons

This may be the warmest November since records began, but it's still Autumn and thankfully the chance to enjoy all the wonderful hallmarks of the season, from the changing colours of the leaves to an excuse to have a nurturing log fire.  Last weekend I was given the surprise gift of a poetry book from a friend I hadn't seen since my birthday.  This thoughtful present will last throughout the year as encapsulated by it's title:  "Poem for the Day" edited by Nicholas Albery.  A week into the book I realised my favourite poem appropriate for now was featured in the September section, so I've re-visited the famous lines by Keats in "To Autumn," a poem I learnt many years ago whilst at school as part of my 'O' level English Literature syllabus.  I was fortunate to have an enthusiastic and talented English teacher who imbued the class with a love of poetry.  Receiving my new book a few days ago reminded me how much pleasure poetry gives.  With it comes a welcome pause to think and reflect for a few minutes each day, providing an anchor in our busy lives and a sense of perspective.  Perhaps you may have disconnected with the world of poetry too or haven't yet had the chance to explore it's horizons.  There's another book I would highly recommend to re-ignite or encourage an interest:  "Poems to last a lifetime" collated by Daisy Goodwin.  In the meantime I'll leave you with the opening lines of "To Autumn" which will hopefully provide an inspiring few moments in your day:

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness!
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core...