Susurration

In place of the habitual phone fidgeting
the muted music of a dozen animated conversations
fills the tram.

Rooks

the pair gather twigs together from the grass
and then head off
to make a rookery

Rain

the softest of pattering on the trampoline skin
is drowned out by aeroplanes 
concealed above the cloud,
they go to warmer
and probably drier
places.

train words

Is there a word 
for the weird sensation of movement
when your train is stationary but the one on the next track is moving?

Is there a word
for the almost irresistible temptation
when waiting for the door to open
to press the emergency alarm button?

Hove seafront 2

a seagull floats nonchalant on the buffeting wind
and I wonder
do they get the same sense of exhilaration
do they launch themselves from a lamppost 
with an excited wheeee!

Hove seafront 1

The wind chills the inside of my ears
and snatches away our conversation,
wild waves roll in and over the sea wall,
the promenade is strewn thick with pebbles and debris.
At bedtime I can still taste the salt on my lips.

catkins

late january
a handful of catkins on a bare twig in the middle of the lawn
promise so much

dog

its eyes follow me up the path
but the dog on the window sill is so weirdly rigid
that I am afraid it is stuffed
what a relief when he finally barks

three years on

In the porch the glass paperweight and mosaic candle holder remain,
as does the gaudy leprechaun;
they are joined by a large stuffed yellow Minion
leaning casually against the corner of window,
a minute snow globe 
and an even more minute metal model of stonehenge,
each stone only a few millimetres high.

(revisiting an old post)

Christmas trees

after the carnage is over
moulting Christmas carcasses litter the pavement
around Sprindale Gardens

moon again

the early evening sky is a crisp cold blue
but the moon is blurry and uncertain

Smile

The bright curve of the waning moon smiles at me from the bare branches 
like the disappearing Cheshire Cat