Those winter days

The coldness and in the cold
           the silence beneath grey skies
the coal fire burning in the hearth
           at night out into the back garden
with the scuttle to fetch coal
           white snow lying thick on the fuel

the biting winds and the chilblains
           everything done at speed to keep warm
but never a complaint always anxious
           to enjoy the day no matter the weather
arms outstretched warming myself
           by the open fire fascinated by the flames
wondering what the future held for me
           and now I know more or less

John Lyons