Bright blue wellington boots
Splashing through the stream
Autumn leaves surrender
Children’s faces gleam.
Splishing through the water
Matching coats and hats
Sunday forest fun-day,
Walking wet and muddy tracks.
Collecting up prickly conkers
Sycamore whizzers and pine cones
Autumn’s children’s playground
Before winter chills their bones.
© Alison Jean Hankinson
This is for d’Verse where we were asked to think about shoes. Mine became wellington boots.
Image labelled for reuse-
Every autumn in the UK the fruit of the horse chestnut is gathered by children in order to play the age old game of “conkers”. (U.S. Air Force photo/Judith Wakelam)

I love wellies! Your poem is an anthem to childhood autumns, Alison. Made me smile. I can’t wait to get my wellies on and splash in a few puddles. I won’t be collecting too many conkers, although they say that they keep spiders at bay.
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I absolutely LOVE this, and I am so jealous. It is 111 degrees here today. Whew.
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With the right clothes every season could be a child’s or adult’s playground. I had to look up Wellington Boots, but I assume they are what I would call “rubber boots” especially if they are going to be used in water.
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chortle- rubber boot is just not quite the same, how do you compete at welly wanging with a rubber boot?
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That is the first time I heard of “welly wanging”. Wikipedia helped explain it, but is kicking off a pair of shoes really a sport?
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haha..you have to hurl them as far as you can…
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I could fairly see the glee on those childish faces! This was wonderful.
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What fun! There are a few chestnut trees in our woods. I collect them regularly to roast over the winter but Now I shall collect and use against spiders! Thank you for this blissful look at childhood.
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Oh yes – I do remember gathering those little gems. But we never found a good way of playing with them
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You had me at the “Wellington’s … and I honestly just ordered me a pair – I am ready for fall now! Sweet poem and I love pine cones –
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Such an autumn of perfection in your writing craft. Your poem is honest and from the heart.
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Here comes Autumn and you brought the joy of wellies with it
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I remember collecting horse chestnuts when I was a child. Never heard of Conker’s though. I liked their smooth shiny surfaces. Nice poem. I would love some blue Wellington boots!
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I like the word splishing. 🙂
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Delightful way to welli-come autumn!
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As season changes so is footwear, a great ode to your wellies of childhood.
Cheers
MeenalSonal from AuraOfThoughts
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This is perfect for a child’s poetry anthology. Rhythm they would love.
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Thank you. XXX
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