Winter Magic - a multi-author anthology of poetry and prose

Safe Inside

by Frank Regan

*

Looking out on this tableau.

Last night's snow balances precariously

On tree branches like a tightrope walker.

As more of his kindred

Fall from the sky,

Gibbous parachutists grown fat in preparation

For this moment of glory.

*

Wagtail dog drumbeats a rhythm by the fire

Dreaming again of the squirrels

Dawn chasing, hunting through the thick

Crisp crunch of the snow.

Then take-off, slow-motion, Ugly Duckling in flight.

The hound whimpers, for even in dreams

The rodent foe escapes.

Dog whimpers again, shakes dream snow from his paws

And starts wishing to wake to dog biscuits.

*

Winter songs on the radio, secular hymns.

Shivering recognition a nod to the old tunes -

Though I've never heard a sleigh bell

In real life.

They keep me safe

Marooned in an island of winter

Cocooned in the warmth of an oversized sweater

A woollen wonderland

When it's snowing outside.