A breath of fresh air

It’s as though the wind
           has a mind of its own
blowing in one direction
           then another
sometimes gusting
           as it is today
rustling the leaves
           of the bushes and trees
at other times
           scarcely felt at all

Some nights it howls
           or whistles under the eaves
as though it really
           has to make itself heard
I know it’s just weather
           but it is a presence after all

There have been days
           when it has blown
so sternly in my face
           that I have had to lean
into it and hope that
           it would soon pass

Yet on other occasions
           it has egged me on
swept me forward
           almost off my feet
into the arms
           of the girl I love

John Lyons