A lone street in Gloucester

A lone street in Gloucester
           snow on the road
and piled high
           on the footpaths

To the right a row
           of large clapboard houses
tv aerials on two chimneys
           and in the distance a flag flying
above what might be
           the courthouse

To the left a tall tree
           with bare branches
and a telegraph pole
           from which several
phone lines radiate out
           to the various buildings

At the far end of the street
           two cars and to the left
a man walking
           and ahead of him
another figure
           braced against the cold
possibly a man also
           about to turn a corner

It’s winter in Gloucester
           and nothing’s happening

John Lyons