snow came early this year
my neighbour and I cleared our drives
without speaking
now there are two frozen piles
at the roadside
like pensioners chatting
at a bus stop
[first posted Jan 17, 2015]
helplines
while she held on to my hand
and whispered soothing words
she had one eye on her car keys
and a quick getaway
there is no common currency here
just rates of exchange
that fluctuate wildly
in different circumstances
try calling the helpline she said
there isn’t one I said
well try calling anyway she said
so I did
many times
many helplines
fifteen of them
[first posted Jan 2, 2016]
even this
the telegraph pole opposite
spoils my view of the ridge
lovely in any season
but especially this
when the browns and russets
of late Autumn
match my mood
and I find communication
of any kind intrudes
has its risks
even this kind
even this
