Winter

Winter.

The December chill hastens the arrival of Christmas jumpers,

it hardens the butter,

and reminds us to buy anti-freeze.

"A horse wears a coat in the Paddock"

An electric van tip-toes round the corner,

the only sound being it's tyres 

crackling on the frozen snow.

"My breath appears through the dark"

The water in the bird bath has frozen solid.

Autumn leaves on the surface of the pond now form a frozen mosaic.

"Snow covered roofs on well insulated houses"

Bare branches of winter trees mourn their loss.

Clouds threaten snow but don't deliver - yet

"The tips of my fingers anticipate the cold"

I grip my hands round the residual warmth of a now empty coffee cup.

I think a second jumper is now required.