British winter

Posted by Anne in Poems - Uplifting on 15-2-13

Such a lovely day, the waitress says.
Pretty down arrived in the night
feathered the branches,
quilted the grass,
hushed the birds,
cushioned the road so the cars wear slippers.
Carefully we tread,
scrunching, slipping,
printing white patterns with the soles of our feet,
stars and stripes and spirals.
Our faces fridge chilled, ears tenderised,
we wrap skin, like parcels,
hats pulled down, scarves pulled up,
eyes tensed against the glare.
Can hear distant shrieking of children on sledges.
The sky’s solid grey,
there’s more on its way.
I’ve made it to the shops.
I buy bird food
and drink hot chocolate in the cafe.

British Winter