silent these bright woods
in the hard wintry noon light
which lies about warmth
we look at blue sky
and think of bright birds that skim
over highest trees
in hottest august
winter will seem mystery
but now it is truth
perfection of form
branches bare of all their leaves
winter's deepest heart
so brief the white snow
thin the ice on our small pond
frogs' eggs in cold mud
deer eating our leaves
their hoofprints marking bare mud
life in the suburbs
midwinter and rain
dripping steadily down pipe
cleansing our small world
inside the warmest
thoughts filling our tired minds
as we sip our tea
out of the darkness
swaying shapes of the bare trees
dance against the grey
nothing ever rests
all is in constant motion
swift clouds in blue sky
cold weather coming
in the long nights your warm touch
spreading gentle calm
you asleep by me
soft snores steady reassure
that all remains safe
moment of capture
long walk to strange fort on coast
unknown the purpose
the middle passage
ignored by happy sea-beasts
not by hungry sharks
plantation practice
to survive the killing work
and speaking monsters
the slave resisting
reclaiming a lost honour
now is a hero
emancipation
not a gift but a promise
no easy freedom
shadows in silence
with crisp edges of sunlight
on dry autumn day
eyes on the ceiling
steady reflections of thought
others fear the snow
i have no message
for those who will not listen
yet still one for you
waiting for the rain
far too long the autumn drought
bending under strain
you may smile or pout
the choice we have is plain
not to go far out
here is no true gain
we have gone so far past doubt
beyond reach of pain
