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