Since taking
semi-retirement, I have been given the chance to contemplate life in a way
rarely enjoyed since my student days - the opportunity to slough off all the
procedures, the protocols, the systems, the jargon, and to view with fresh eyes
the simpler things in life, things that make me feel I have lived – that I am
alive still to the natural influences around me.
As I grow older, it
seems time is speeding up and there are more things I want to do, one of which has
been to put together my poems into anthologies so my grandchildren would have
something to remember me by and in their adult lives might know me better. So I
thought I had better get on with it, and this volume represents my love for our
world, for the natural cycles that shape our daily lives and present us with
moments of pleasure, humour, frustration, wonder, love and joy.
As with the first
edition, the poems herein do not always conform to the strict oriental
interpretation of what constitutes ‘haiku’ - this has not been my prime intention.
Rather, I have tried to capture the essence of a moment and placed higher
priority on the overall flow and ‘feel’ of a poem, rather than on the number of
syllables per line. Some of the haiku that appeared in the first edition have
been removed from this and been replaced by poems that are less place specific.
Many of those that have been left out have been regrouped and included in a
volume entitled ‘Magnetic Compass’.
Apologies for the rubbish formatting
They are what they
are. I hope you like them.
A CYCLE OF DAYS
01
midnight
sirens
on the
sleeping moonlit river
hello,
brave new world!
02
New
Year’s Day
waking
as a red dawn
bleeds into new snow
03
a full
moon is out
and Jack
Frost is about
sparkling
the brittle trees
04
scraping
snow from cars
barrage of snowballs launches
from frozen
fingers
05
rooftops
whiter than sky
shoulder
to shoulder against
winter’s whipping tail
|
06
so
hard to get up
so
dark and bleak the morning
returning
to work
07
gripping
the wheel
frozen
fingers trying to
keep
us on the road
08
a
flickering fireside
cold draught
pulls mournful notes
beneath
the door
09
before
the world wakes
frosty
morning moon and I
peacefully
alone
10
early
dawn cold feet
doorstep
milk pecked and frozen
delays
my breakfast
11
new overnight snow
snowman
grows and briefly smiles
glee
on pink young faces
12
January dawn
fizz and buzz of the
city
rises from the streets
13
orange tinted snow
deeply
muffles the heartbeat
of this
working city
14
|
wreathed
in my own breath
crunching
over frozen mud
shapes
loom from the fog
15
icy
world outside
but a fat
fly still buzzing
around
my kitchen
16
bitter
winds bite hard
hard
ground hard times but
the
snow is free
17
over frosted
rooftops
church
spire sends up your prayers with
the
glory of sunrise
18
this bright bright sun -
child of winter trying
so hard to please
19
intricate
crispness
my
garden painted with frost
man in
the moon is pleased
20
pure
new year snows
abandoned
resolutions
decay
and melt away
21
wildlife remains
congealed
and frozen -
roadside
mortuary
22
in the
dead of night
a thumping
on my door
- thumping in my heart
23
with the
creeping dawn
ghost
shadows flicker and die
leaving
her nightmares behind
24
from
my feet a
silver
path across the sea
all
the way to the moon
25
filigrees of ice
low
sun sparkles through the reeds
cold
chill on my thighs
26
cruel pellets
of hail
melting inside my collar
- glacial shock
27
children
chasing dragons
lighting
up the dark streets
it’s
chinese new year
28
waiting
for the sun
small
bird frozen to the twig
longs to
free his song
29
spray
and splashing tyres
icy
blasts from a bruised sky
blow
me back to you
30
the season
weighs heavy
took a
trip down Abbey Road
now
here comes the sun
31
days
and nights of darkness
in
spite of the tepid sun
in
spite of the full moon
32
power
cut
early
finish declared but
darkness
hides our glee
33
home to
a fireside glow
an unwinding
of the day
-soon nodding off
34
winter
shadows creep
finger
the Saxon furrows
of this
ancient land
35
raw-skinned
road-men
digging
deep for warmth
curse
the frozen ground
36
thumbing
the brochures
far
off dreams of summer sun
on these
sad grey days
37
longing
for spring
simply
the sun on my neck
and I’ll
feel you near
38
alone
in my attic
slow
jazz fills the air but
I’m
listening to my heart
39
keen wind – a razor
cutting the screaming cables
of the tall masts
40
your sweet
warm breath
a
scarf you wrap lovingly
round
my neck
41
in
from bitter cold
numb these
awkward fingers
can’t
undo my coat
42
needles
of light from
the
stars that bring the frost flowers
used
to share my window
43
blood-shattered
windscreen
silence
in the dead of night
- black ice
44
moonlight on the ice
spilled
beyond the riverbank
feet
numb with frost
45
children are at play
out on
the ice-bound river
oblivious
46
first
sunlight in weeks
the melting
snow drips diamonds
from
the old shed roof
47
squirrels
scratch the earth
careful,
all you daffodils
keep
your heads down!
48
setting
out for work
north
wind feels my collar as
I penetrate
the dark
49
still,
no work tomorrow
and Friday
night is chippy night -
after
the shopping
50
forgotten keys
locked myself out -
again
cursing my brain
51
hesitant
morning calls
birds
afraid they’d lost their voice
somewhere in the night
52
old
chap is singing -
he’s no
home to return to
but
his song is free
53
coiled
against you
listening
to the darkness as
rain
lashes our window
54
growling
white fury
heavy
bruised clouds sweep in
- the
thundersnow
55
memories
of church
squashed
between the aisles
supermarket
Sunday
56
in feeble sun
wet clothes on my washing line
hanging hopefully
57
crocus
lies buried
beneath
the shrouds of winter
till
the season is right
58
out of
cold dark ground
spreading
arms to greet the sun
small
new shiny leaf
59
for so
long
beneath
the frozen ground then
suddenly
– you’re here!
60
slow thaw refloats the sun
nervously glancing back lest
the
snow queen returns
61
slowly
slowly
the
woods turn to green
but
the cuckoo never sings
62
spring
flowers – all that
remains
of the sacrifice
of a soldier’s
dreams
63
welcome
daffodils
eager anticipation
of the
sun’s return
64
a bullying wind
throwing
its weight about
spits
sleet in my face
65
cold spitting
wind
gobs
in my ear
am I
not welcome here?
66
glad
to be free
the
pony kicks away the
last
clouds of winter
67
among the graves
spring
has arrived at last and
makes
me want to live
68
crescendo
of song
as
myriad voices acclaim
the
soft light of dawn
69
as I
approach
pigeons abandon the game
to their own applause
70
three
brothers at play
I
watch them laugh together
as we
did years ago
71
deep
car park puddles
cold wet socks till lunchtime:
his lesson learned
72
lichen
dripping ruins
crows are
guarding the tombstones
peace
on the hillside
73
climbing
with weary feet
listening
to my pumping heart
looking
up – the lake
74
snowdrops are dying
for us
on the bleak hillsides
beyond
Kabul
75
waiting in cold rain
to
honour fallen heroes
draped
in warm applause
76
sun
bursting through
the
early morning fog
holding
it all together
77
red
sandstone island
the
meeting of tide and time
and a
place to rest
78
driftwood
cradled
between the rocks
of a
foreign shore
79
sanderling
scuttling
across
the rippling beach
ignores
me completely
80
grabbing
my collar
the
wicked wind steals my warmth
moaning
in my ear
81
rain
pelts my window
coffee,
a good book and you
with
me before the fire
82
days
of bulbous cloud
almost
glimpsed the sun today
but
blinked and it was gone
83
fog
sits like a heron
watching the tide rising
without
a murmur
84
last
nips of winter gone
cat content
to nap outside
crushing
the spring flowers
85
as storm
clouds part
the
waterfront shines out in
a spotlight
of gold
86
playground
washed out
only
the wind is riding
the swings
today
87
spring
advances
a band
of happy minstrels
skipping
through the fields
88
mutant
ninja squirrel
raids
my spring garden, fearless
as I
approach
89
jet
plane overhead
seeking the future trailing
visions
of the past
90
Sunday
afternoon
attempting
some DIY
grandsons
‘helping’
91
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whooper
swans fly north
sharing
their excitement with
the infant spring
92
blackbird
peck pecks
at the
freshly turned soil
ignoring
the rain
93
black
clouds are lifting
so
much sunshine to enjoy
life
moving on
94
shrouded
in mist
the pines
stand heavy with rain
the
quietness of death
95
troubled
sleepless night
trying
to discern the grim
face
of tomorrow
96
where
has it come from
this
early light that moves the
dark without
a trace?
97
wanting to follow
across the sky but wild geese
leave no trail
98
thieving
magpies
squabble
round the crows’ nest
what a
commotion!
99
growing warmth of spring
as if
waking from long sleep
gardens buzz with life
100
renewing
myself
drinking
in the spring sunshine
at one
with my garden
101
garden
birds in song
robin
comes to chat on
the
handle of my spade
102
boots
crunching the track
head
and heart pounding, then
looking
up – the summit
103
ancient
sea wall
from
where so many set sail
to
explore the world
104
gentle
warmth of spring
opening
up the clouds
lets
the sun shine in
105
Good Friday,
a time
for meditation
– when he’s
finished mowing his lawn
106
finding
Easter eggs
in the
grass and the spring flowers
as we
used to do
107
what
it all means
resurrecting
hopes and dreams
this fine
Easter day
108
this pre-dawn
silence
I
could be the only one
left
alive
109
magpie
in a flap
earnestly
searching the gardens
for
his mate
110
baby
spring grows stronger
feeding
on new light and rain
radiating
smiles
111
in misty
morning dew
peach
and almond blossom
the
old man does tai-chi
112
in my
chilly room
suddenly, spring sun bursts in
to
give me a hug
113
dozing
in snooze mode
alarm
rings – oh! no rush
- just
the telephone bird
114
Sunday
ritual
on my cushioned
aching knees
prayer
for quick deliverance
115
exposed in short sleeves
hail
shower spattering my shirt
café’s
steamy haven
116
apple
blossom posies
luscious
pastel promises
of a tiny
kiss
117
happy
to see me
baby smiles
and lights a
warm
glow in my heart
118
sunlight
dances
from
leaf to leaf - the joy
of
being alive
119
following
contrails
across
the eternal sky
missing
you so soon
120
in
shaking fingers
a
sepia photograph
half-forgotten faces
121
parlour clock tocks slow
with distant
eyes a memory
that drifts
to the floor
122
these
book shelves
marking
time and thought
finger
in the dust
123
this
musty old book
who might
have held the covers,
loved
the words within?
124
playing puddle-sticks
children
watch their pictures
vanish
in the sun
125
lilies in her hand
the
flowers and the spring sun
shine
for everyone
126
trying
to paint the breeze
and
the subtle scents of spring
just
by breathing
127
April
showers
each puddle,
each raindrop
reflecting
heaven
128
my bright
maple tree
waves
hello to new neighbours
in Japanese
129
lost
in a painting
gentle
breaths of timeless air
spellbound
130
straining
ropes and chains
bind
the gangway to the ferry
meeting
dad from work
131
closing
my window
how
quiet the morning
must
once have been
132
the
stars in the sky
how I
wonder which you are
so
alone, so far
133
no
shame like memory
of all
the pain I caused
your
eyes still tell me
134
her
work is done
spider
sitting in the sun
plays a
waiting game
135
carpet
of wildflowers
hiding
the broken rubble
of those
boyhood days
136
white
trails stitch the sky
striking
for the morning sun
of America
137
cat trapped in all night
shoots through the opening door -
message on the floor
138
unable
to go on
this
mountain – makes me feel
suddenly
so old
139
gravestones
leaning
old
names etched and crumbling
dust
to dust
140
old cemetery
wall
marks carved
by lovers
long
gone
141
pink
carnations
to garland
a mother’s grave
on her
special day
142
visiting your graveside
cold
rising through my shoes
but warmed
by my thoughts
143
my humble pen –
an
offering placed in the grave
please
write when you can
144
the
depth of my love
the
fear in your voice when
last I
heard you speak
145
solitary
bell
embarrassed
at disturbing
this
quiet morning
146
new
flowers
by the
roadside where it happened
this
time last year
147
pawprint
of a dog
concrete
evidence, m’lud
in my
backyard
148
gleaming reflection
I take
a sip and drink
the dazzling
sun
149
the
rope swings limply
twined
with fear since his fall
no mat
of bluebells
150
a track running through
woodpecker hammers his arrival
waking the forest
151
cherry blossom nodding
in approval at the warmth
of the passing breeze
152
deep
in the woods
enfolded in natural sound
in love with this moment
153
today
is the day
I could
become a cloud
look
for me in the sky
154
remembering
when
the
world stood up for freedom
D Day
155
shaving
in my mirror
I see
my father’s face
‘happy
birthday, son’
156
just
sat in a classroom
sixth
of the sixth sixty-six
on my
special day.
157
it
still stands, this house
my
uncle built – but always
had
time for me
158
such a
spider’s web
of a
size to catch the world
and
suck it dry
159
my
dewy garden
spider
caught in broad daylight
abseils
to safety
160
midnight
blackbird
singing
from the street light
to
no-one but me
161
deep storm approaching
flashes in a churning sky
earth waits mouth open
162
freewheeling
with a west wind at my back
going downhill fast
163
spread on velvet sky
diamonds of the southern cross
harmony of stars
164
awake with the dawn
suddenly the crisp air
makes
my face tingle
165
touch
but not to hold
small
new wondrous being
welcome
to the world
|
166
hailstorm
blasts my garden
wet
washing limp and sore
dripping in defeat
167
we
gaze at each other
the
full moon and I and wish
for
understanding
168
midsummer
sun
breaks
over ancient stones
mysteries
of Stonehenge
169
fingers
of morning sun
massage
my neck and shoulders
thinking
of you
170
summer
evening
teasing
aromas drift around
suburban
gardens
171
writing
a poem
content in my sunny room
leaves
dapple my page
172
cloudburst
over
water trickles
everywhere
slate roofs
gleaming
173
supermarket
dash
escaping
to the car park
from
things I don’t need
174
this
view from a hill
this land of contentment, this
place where I belong
175
honey
bees buzz near
some
of us have work to do
they’re buzzing in my ear
176
cobwebs
in my shed
warm
earth smell, boots and spades
and peaceful
solitude
177
nurturing the roots
sunshine tends to growing shoots
at
home in my shed
178
flies
in my kitchen
to
squirt or not to squirt
that
is the question
179
dripping
lichens
heather
scent, dry stone wall
breathing
in the mountains
180
out on
the island
lark
song sprinkles the sea thrift
can
you see her?
181
island
of my dreams
great
grey basking seal loves
the
hush of low tide
182
driftwood
washed ashore
from what
it once had been to
what
it yet could be
183
evening curlews cry
after
the ebbing tide
bleak
emptiness
184
skylark ascending
flittering and twittering
all the way up to heaven
185
sandstone
island
may time
and tide protect
a
place to find my rest
186
warm
sand beneath me
dreamy
voices all around
muffled
by the waves
187
firelight sparks the sky
this clear and crackling night
hope in a new dawn
188
lights
on the river
slow
chugging engine leaving
for
the open sea
189
ripples from the past
return with the earth to sleep
facing the setting sun
190
among ancient stones
sheep graze the windy moor
spirit of wild grass
191
first evening shadows
creep along the forest walls
slapping things that bite
192
hot acrid
pavements
hornets
swarm the city streets
stinging
the tourists
193
smell of tar rising
from the hot road as we take
a path
less travelled
194
sunlight
flickering
chinese
lantern between the trees
driving
me mad
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195
dripping
ice cream
flap
and panic in the park
as wasps
hover
196
sun is
so strong
can’t
even be bothered to…
zzzzzzz
197
Mr Sun
reads my thoughts
says if
I really loved him
I’d be
wearing shorts
198
breeze
flaps my paper
not
really bothered to read
the
breeze or me
199
sun
caresses my cheek
I
close my eyes obediently
and
think of you
200
peeping
beneath
skirts
of early morning mist
a huge
golden eye
201
night rain patters the tent
or is
it just a beetle
crossing
the floor?
202
snuffling and scraping
at
large in the dead of night
gone
by morning light
203
hot August
night
drinking
cold milk from the fridge
listening
for the dawn
204
red
mower hovers
cuts a
dash across my lawn
sweet smell
of cut grass
205
raindrops
spatter my page
words have
become meaningless
lost
without you
206
the
storm has passed
children
and the summer sun
splash
in puddles
207
found
in a lonely field
in
time for the setting sun
the
faery ring
208
a tear
in the cloud
a
stairway of golden light
turns
the Shannon blue
209
storm
clouds pierced
the
evening sun scans the earth
with a
final breath
210
the road to the isles
twists
through the narrow glen
in
ecstasy
211
now
chipped and cracked
but
this little green jug was
won
for me by my nan
212
lazing
afternoon
till
the strimmer snarls and spits
why
now?
213
napping
in the sun
that
barking dog is simply
wrecking my dream
214
clutching
your money
bare-legged
through the morning dew
‘une
baguette s’il vous plait’
215
this mountain
stream
telling
all who would listen
its
everlasting tale
216
blackening
sky
rain
clatters on the school roof
drowning
my voice
217
after
the lightning
counting
the seconds as the
storm gets
nearer
218
swallows
in the eaves
from
sweeping curves of flight
feed
their squabbling young
219
cloud-spotting
trying
to read the signs of
the
wind and the sun
220
sun
climbing higher
raising
steam from the rooftops
making
amends
221
high flying bird
from below it will soon seem
you were never here
222
as darkness draws in
children play ferociously
this last day of summer
223
with my breath
mist through early morning trees
silently moving
224
crisp and even morning
bow wave on a steel blue tide
she cleaves the water
225
a watercolour
down
by the glittering shore
muffled
waves and voices
226
at the
chill of dawn
fond farewell
to new friends
homeward
bound
227
the gentle
breeze
playing
tunes on the wood chimes
reminding
me ….
228
ash
tree on the turn
seems
it cannot wait for
its
long winter sleep
229
among
the olives
careless
rabbit squeals as
unerring
buzzard swoops
230
wearing their white socks
the fruit
trees tread warily
mindful
of the ants
231
stars at twilight
holidays
are over but
the
wine still tastes good
232
Dover harbour
lights
guiding
us safe to shore
say
‘welcome home’
233
hot glinting
metal
heated
air and leather seats
those
poor dogs
234
trees
– heavy, listless
first
drops from dark sultry skies
fall
on my face
235
new
bag and new shoes
grand-daughter
spilling the news
back to
school at last
236
figs
on our little tree
have ripened
at last - now for
a
breakfast surprise
237
gulls watch the cricket
awaiting the next batsman
then wheel off shrieking
238
sipping tea
watching
the sunset as the
first
yellow leaf falls
239
breeze
behind them
impetuous leaves lead the
race
into autumn
240
after
the rainstorm
breathing
deep the scent of pine
a
landscape cleansed
241
a sprinkling of rain
has washed
the garden clean
I
return to my book
242
bio or
non-bio ?
washing
machine can’t decide
which
way to turn
243
glistening
in starlight
night
dew and a snail trail
tiny
hedgehog returns
244
if you
saw the burning sky
you’ll
never forget
nor
stop asking ‘why?’
245
just
out of her reach
a ripe
blackberry cluster
…….. ‘ouch!’
246
licking
purple fingers
pulling
thorns from purple scratches
licking
purple lips
247
bramble berry scratches
purple lips and fingertips
but
they’re worth it
248
the
fruit is gone
sun is
losing interest
in my
garden
249
mellow
sun dips to the sea
lonely
cloud drifts on
towards
evening
250
calm
warm evening
till
bats scream out and fly
at the
risen moon
251
swirling
clouds of starling
catching
the evening light
shimmering like fish
252
a fallen
apple
lying crushed
on the path
wasps
wait to refuel
253
apple
juice for free
wasps are
a-gathering
for a
hoe-down
254
failure to entrap
wasps escaping from the jar –
the jammy bastards
255
jewels
in the hedgerow
scarlet fruit of bryony
finches wait for me go
256
running
the sea wall
the evening
glow on her cheeks
turbines
wave coolly
257
September
glows
in
bright sunlit kisses
a baby
arrives
258
dying
wasps
squirming
in the cold
summer
is over
259
in floodlit drizzle
vows
of devotion that you’ll
never
walk alone
260
black
armbands
solemn
heads bowed before the
pulse
of the night beats on
261
stepping
out
cold
air curls inside my door
surprised
by my own breath
262
last leaves falling
echoes of children’s laughter
trickle through the woods
263
these old school grounds
where you used to play
now the season is over
264
magpie cracks the silence
on the old graveyard
who will recall them today
265
voices
of children
riffling
through the dale
the
stream trickles on
266
golden
afternoon
the young
dog is taking his
master
for a walk
267
strung
up and ready
can it
bear the first blow?
conkering
hero
268
a final
mowing
as the
still days grow short
wood-smoke
fills the air
269
afternoon
stillness
dog
bark echoes round the streets
like
everyone’s left
270
trees
shiver
yellow
leaf settles on my shoe
as
autumn deepens
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271
autumnal
forest
golden
thread of a lost love
such
aching in her heart
272
within
your dance
what I’d
give for another chance
jewels
for your soul
273
lengthening
shadows
a random
swirl of midges
catches
the sun
274
low October sun
scrap
of summer left behind
tangled
in a tree
275
chestnut leaves
dripping
softly all day
path soaked
in gold leaf
276
solitary maple
sheds a pool of yellow
tears
so far from home
277
echoes of summer
the
music of the waves plays on
as
birds fly south
278
late arrivals
the hotel echoes to the
slumbers of the sea
279
in
soggy grass
waiting
for something to happen
orange
leaves are falling
280
deep
dripping forest
slicing
through the chilling fog
a
chainsaw snarls
281
slow
turning of the year
ploughman
with the heavy horse
knows
his time to die
282
evening
wake-up call -
on TV,
in the hall or
just one
of my dreams
283
no-one else awake
my house wraps warm arms round me
giving me a hug
284
turning back the clock
turning of the season
turning over, sleeping on
285
turning back the clocks
too
late to catch the summer sun
long
march into winter
286
high
in a bare tree
tiny
bird so hard to see
begs
the sun to stay
287
cleaning
the gutter
soon
the rain can flow freely
down
to earth
288
the
wild geese fly south
chill
deepens with each wing beat
I lift
my collar
289
dogs
loose in the park
snuffling wet leaves, muddy paws
now
look at my coat!
290
the young boy tries
to coax
his old dog on but
leaves
him behind
291
nervous
tethered boats
restless,
rampant winter
waiting in the bay
292
winds from
the south
sweep
the fallen leaves that are
gathering
northwards
293
a
foolish act
as tonight
the moon crosses
the
sky alone
294
still
a low grey sky
the
only motion the earth
and
the falling leaves
295
as autumn
deepens
gradually
I’m adopting
my
father’s ways
296
shuffling
through the leaves
soon
the trees will be bare
look -
two bird’s nests
297
at the
end of the day
a
carpet of fallen leaves
the
path has lost its way
298
orange
turnip glow
from
the dark side grinning
ghoulish secrets
299
this
damp and crazy night
smell
of leaves and pumpkins
who’s
for trick or treat?
300
child
in a doorway
ragged
baby in a pram
penny
for the guy
301
with hard twinkling eyes
Orion and friends are out –
I zip
my jacket higher
302
frosty
night tightens
street light damped by
fog
somewhere a blackbird
sings
303
tang
of wood-smoke
robin
watches my technique
raking
leaves
304
from soft
wet grass
flares
and sparks shoot the sky
curling
smoke asks why
305
dazzling
streaks of light
flash
into a blistered sky
while
earth burns below
306
scent of
a firework
lingers
in damp morning air
dead
in the grass
307
last
night’s gales blown through
oak
and birch and mountain ash
breathe
sighs of relief
308
a slip on the pavement
face
down wet in the gutter
smell of rotting leaves
309
squealing
and running
wellies
shuffling drifts of leaves
to the
trip-trap bridge
310
sycamore
keys twirl
silently
towards their end
or
their beginning
311
fallen
apples
cradled
in the fresh grass
the
scent of time passing
312
the
valley rings
to drills
of the woodpecker
empty
spaces between
313
low moan
of the trees
deadwood
wears a fungal crown
still
heart of the forest
314
on the
silent screen
poppies
flutter in the breeze
as we
remember
315
heads
bowed
poppies
– some red, some white
in respect
316
with each gust a leaf-fall
and
the scattering leaves
seek a
place to rest
317
beneath feisty skies
sweeping
the leaves into drifts
for
the wind to play with
318
old
friends and comrades
shadows
lengthen silently
staring
out to sea
319
from
their sacrifice
beneath
these peaceful skies
a grateful
city sleeps
320
a
landing at dawn
bringing home a hero
who’s
job has been done
321
a glacial stream
my
memory banks fast eroding
in the
turbulent flow
322
following
the tail lights
into
the damp cloak of night
the long
road home
323
working
the small hours
of a cold
wet windy night
flat battery
324
the
hostile stranger
she
finds it hard to forgive
harder
to love
325
clack
of the letterbox
sheaf
of bills drop to the floor
demandingly
326
my cold
wet skin
crocked knees, aching tendons but
hot
soup and a log fire
327
they’ve felled the great oak
two
hundred summers rise in smoke
soft
whispers of rain
328
crazy Christmas
lights
infuse
the fizzing darkness
with
seasonal cheer
329
rain swells
the soil
where
my bootprint
will
spend the winter
330
the
shortest day –
don’t
want to miss a minute
this
life-giving light
331
hailstones
strafe the hedgerow
beech
tree submits, releasing
its
final leaves
332
selling ‘the Big Issue’
they
only seek protection
from
biting winds
333
all
domestic chored
washed
and brushed and ironing bored -
just a
hum drum day
334
umbrella
people
dash
and slip through wet streets
dodging
glistening cars
335
this frozen
windscreen
golden
beaches of Goa
a light
year away
336
crescent
moon
frozen
to the skin of night
only
my breath moves
337
arriving home at last
out of the freezing rain
ears and cheeks ablaze
338
such a
cold hard night
mmm …
those aromatic waves
Oriental
Delight
339
mulled
wine by fireglow
sharing
a chocolate bar
how the
lonely wind howls
340
the
promised snowfall
disguising
familiar shapes
hides
the real world
341
watching
snowflakes
creating
their mosaic
on my
sky-lit window
342
a new
snow blanket
covers
the glistening field
children
race across
343
letterbox
rattles
nobody
there – it’s just the
wind
playing ‘knocky’
344
soft
menace
the
deceit of falling snow
hiding
frozen blood
345
the scraping
of ice
an
engine’s rasping wheeze
soundtrack
to winter
346
frozen
fingers fumble
trying
to turn the key
praying
the car will start
347
fog
and darkness
smother
the frosty earth
in
their silent fight
348
a pea-souper
beyond
the garden fence lies
the
edge of the world
349
nativity
angel
the
star that you are always
shines
for me
350
driving
home for Christmas
fingers
tap to the music
girl
in the next car smiles
351
two
shivering boys
carol singing
out of tune -
‘was
that Jingle Bells?’
352
a
parting kiss on frozen lips
the
red sun leaves for
someone
else’s morning
353
twin
snipe buzz the meadow
heading for the setting sun
and a
parting kiss
354
hard
frost
grips
the windscreen
de-icer
spreads like blood
355
night
before Christmas
Christian
world still as a star
holds
its breath
356
cold
and windblown
the
old man smiles and
gives
me this poem
357
Siberian
winds
a
nation hunkers down
to TV
and chocolate
358
cuddled on the sofa
hot
chocolate by the fireside
listening
to the rain
359
palm
tree bristling
against
the cold skin of the moon
far
from home
360
counting
down the hours
so wishing
we could slough
the
world’s dead skin
361
looking
down
on my
sleeping city as
the
silent cars go by
362
a
string of jewels
mirrored
in the puddles
landing
lights for the moon
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363
sparkling
cheery faces
hoping
for a bright new dawn
as
midnight chimes
364
in
full moonlight
a
shiny coin offers her
the
world
365
when
all’s said and done
to be
part of the fabric
of the
world!
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