Holly proud berries declare Advents chill coming
Castor-oil plants wilt lampshades light-green
Beige grit grips tight to the line of my treading
As wet crunching pathways disturb pigeons unseen
Clumping bamboo give sway to rose garden
Fragrant cut grass held captive by ice
A grey-hound in fur coat is dragged like an anchor
Delicate paws beneath sorrowful eyes
Haw frost show contours of squirrel deep searching
Twig trees survive by the skin of rats teeth
Wailing small children held snug by ‘Good’ ratings
Distantly join blue magpies bold grief
Rosehips and hedging and dampened stone walling
Border sweet Carmen’s park bench brass plaque
‘Enter each day with a grateful heart’ soothing
This stagnant breath morning to freshen its track.
For my work colleague Carmen Alfonso who died too soon.
city slowness 