January

From liverish-purple to a gloomy blue
the daylight had a heavy job to break
the blustery winter's murk; it made
a brave attempt but didn't quite succeed
in forcing the darkness from the edges of the day.
Along the narrow lanes untidy grass,
grown dry and shabby, formed a brittle link
with former winters when the lively wind
blew all my ragged thoughts away and left
my tousled head the master of my wits.
I cannot go there now. A different age
will tramp the tangled verges down the short
but highly satisfying afternoons
while I am busy elsewhere. Still, I can
enjoy remembering those hours outdoors.