Dartmoor 1

swathes of the dark chocolate brown of dead bracken 
and the deep green of heather 
stretch out across the rain sodden expanse

Dancing

They play some big band jazz and
mum and dad jive between the tables.
I'm not sure I ever realised they had a life before I was born.
I watch and smile, and try not to cry.

not-snow

a delicate drift of white in the gutter covers the rotting leaves
but as it blows down the street
I realise they are polystyrene balls from a burst bean bag.

seagulls

a gang gathers on the goal for a gossip

Pink

Pink bubble car, like a vehicle from Oz,
pootles down the monotonous grey street

flats seen from the tram

washing dries on balconies
and a lone smoker watches the world go by

Leaving

A welcome blue sky streaked with white aeroplane trails
all converging on the distant vanishing point

dog again

boundless enthusiasm, bounding along the cycle track
tongue not just lolling out but streaming behind

dog at the supermarket

tail tucked under 
waiting disconsolate in the rain
big dark watery eyes follow me as I walk past

more rain

the lightest of misty rains brushes my cheeks
and leaves my eyelashes damp

New Year Resolutions

January joggers are earnest and determined,
cheerful despite the rain.

Midnight moonlight

Walking home to a cacophony of fireworks and car horns
a line of Chinese lanterns drift into the clouds ahead