Showtime
           
Winter simplifications
           pared back to the essentials
the bare bones of nature
           a softly blue wedgwood sky
frost crackles underfoot
           the tops of trees swaying
catching a rhythm
           dancing to the notional tune
of unseen gusts
           birds cavorting
in the crisp circus air
           nothing still
nothing quite silent
           nothing quite pointless
hope not quite abandoned

Machinations out of sight
           life under marching orders
rest and recuperation almost over
           the muster of forces
ready to burst forth
           onto the boards
crocus and daffodil
           messaging the way
for the country rose
           for the urban petunias
feisty energies raring to go
           longing to display
their concupiscent colours
           a bluebell and a cowslip
here and there
           Irrepressible remorseless life
from single cell
           to the distant galaxies
picks itself up
           dusts itself down
gets on with the show

John Lyons