Dusty leaves and three weeks drought
cooling in the autumn glow
five o'clock and low above the hedges;
the hour still with us;
soon it will be dark
curtains drawn and orange hearth.
October,winter's herald, home for tea,
"In the car Jack" down the dusky lane
left behind the quiet wood
no rooks in the sultry pines
black feathers strew the ground
a cartridge here and there.....
Safe behind the electric fence
our field, its clover, out of bounds
until the sheep have had their fill
to take them through the winter
waiting,with the starlings.
for lambs and mad march-hare.
pale and blue the cloudless sky
expanding in the fading light.
Seven Stars beckons by the road,
too good to pass at one pound fifty
(and that a pint for Barnsley bitter!)
served with a pretty blouse;
an hours fun and laughter,crisps for Jack
the bright lit bar,children cuddle Jack
mum and dad and grandad animate with me
their dog black.....like mine.
Then home to lock the garage door
bolt the back-yard gate.....
fading green and rusting hinge.