mercury (5/1/25)

the first snow
in the garden
a woodpigeon sits
disconsolate
on branches bare,
the first foot
of new year
gently put,
a snow
not as crisp
as should be
softened by
hearts that grieve
souls that bleed
their memories
into takeaway cups,
only two days
of the calendar
he got to see
til came
a winter messenger
who said,
it’s time to leave,
cloud hang
anonymous
unsure of itself
awkward in
the face of loss,
coffee steam
the bustle seems
surreal,
other lives
carry on regardless,
twelfth night
waits in sight
patient in
this shortened light
a slip of sun
understated
time has left
the building waiting,
distance lost
all sense of place,
where were you
when the past
happened
way back when?
soon to take
the trimmings down,
a tile has slipped
now balanced in
the gutter
where jackdaws peck
at moss and leaves,
long-lost dreams,
crystalline
washing line
stalactites
snatching light,
thermometer
getting old
mercury
more valuable
than gold.

© 2025 robert greig