March

After the warm spells
Come rain and cold winds.
Skies are wet blankets
And March is miserable.
Like a young tortoise,
Without weather lore,
Caught sunning too soon,
I retreat quickly
Into the warm house.
The baby whinges
Wanting to go out,
He is not consoled
By crumpets for tea.
Judy knits quietly
Deep in the green chair.
The ball of wool shrinks
And she grows rounder.
When the second comes
It will be Summer.

March 1971

In the high pasture

In the high pasture
The winter snows are melting,
The streams carry my love
Down to you in the valley.

For Judy, March 1981
Schloss Kasseg, Austria

We fallen angels

Sul’s yellow waters
were stirred by wind and time
As we lingered there.

Up Jacob’s Ladder
Isolated angels climb.
We fallen angels
Look up with sadness, minds and
Feet earthbound, yet holding hands.

In Bath, a long time ago!