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.