#286: The Scarf

An autumn staple of snugness

Autumn has arrived. The leaves are changing, our heating is on, and I have unearthed my autumnal clothing staple: a scarf.

I have two scarves, one orange-red and one blue, that I swap between depending on outfit colour – or more importantly, on desired snuggliness. When I am faced with the thought of going out into a blustery, chilly, autumnal day, I am warmed at the thought of the scarf I get to wear. Because when I wear a scarf like this one, I make a home for myself. I feel protected, and I feel confident – perhaps the two go together.

This week’s post is an ode to the winter scarf, the staple clothing of all winter-inhabiting people. So I turn from prose to poetry, as I ponder this simple but valuable piece of clothing that I own.

The first leaf falls.
A rustling enters the breeze,
Sounding like crackling fires –
Autumn has come,
And the world is turning,
Darker.
The sunset of the year comes
In temperature and colour.

Out into that colour-changing world
Steps a woman in wool
With boots on her feet
And a warm cup in her hand
And round her neck
Wrapped loose but secure
Is a scarf,
A piece of fabric
Of a burnt umber colour,
A token of the fire blazing at home
To bear into the outside falling world.

Katie writes regularly about random objects that she finds in her everyday life. If you’re interested in reading more, check out her blog Object, a collaboration with fellow Medium blogger Eleanor. You can also follow us on Twitter @ ObjectBlog.