Autumn Challenge

The autumn is upon us in the northern hemisphere bringing lots of energy for new activities. With uncertainty in the air and money increasingly tight, there are flashes of Indian Summer smiling on us. As the chill creeps in, we can look forward to leaf kicking, long walks, log fires and the last of the harvest. Blackberries, sloes, apples and rosehips are fruiting, even in the city, though you have to look carefully to find them. Falling leaves and fading light will soon be marked by Halloween, Day of the Dead, All Souls, Divali and Bonfire Night. These are the perfect backdrop for the autumn section of Biding Time and particularly The Walking Song - as Thyme becomes disillusioned with her new love and walks through a night, wandering restlessly while she wonders about her relationship.

The lyrics are the inspiration for a new challenge - to create a video journey or creative response to the story of the Walking Song. Its a jounrey through a city overnight, from the evening and late into the wee hours of the morning when strangers prowl and tiredness makes everything seem more intensely real. Its a volatile and vulnerable journey, especially for a woman walking alone.

The Walking Song

 He's dappled in moonlight, among shady places

Kissed by chance and loved by many.

I touch your presence and other far off places

Shambling backwards into the cold.

Late night footpath (sidewalk)

Night's sacred paradise

Vehicles pass me with convertible smiles

I touch your presence and other far off places

Deeply dissatisfied, I walk for miles.

Across the river, head through the city

Follow the bells on a restless mission

This ancient town, so dense and gritty

Overwhelms, I travel underground

Mind the gap, between our perceptions

So many lost souls in so many styles

I keep on moving to avoid their questions

Permission denied, I walk for miles

Mind full of worries it just keeps on racing

Driven to a nightmare destination

I am in the dark, no wits about me

Autumn's falling, I'm alone

Deepening shadows, every stranger's stranger

My radar instinct's off the dials

I've lost you, in these desolate places

Absolutely terrified, I run...

Then walk for miles

I walk for miles

I walk for miles

And slowly, slowly, the night walks by

Neons flicker and the sun begins to rise

Dreams are melting, my strength is gently waking

My mind's made up but my body is slow

Your presence hits me, a faithless shadow

I've been walking all night, but you'll never know.