long-tailed tits are

already investigating the

battered old birdbox nailed

onto the garage wall, their

prescient optimism shames

our own reticence to make

an early start in the garden

save for a half-hearted

tidying up of slippery leaf fall,

it’s worryingly mild for February

threatening double figures

but could still turn evil yet,

I’m intrigued how capricious

weather can have such an

effect on peoples’ habits,

behaviour and moods,

one tangible link we still

share with our neighbours

be they fur or feather,

the willow and cherry both

shiver like bony fingers,

pointing out a callous warning

should I venture outside

this early in the year,

I easily capitulate and

settle for rearranging the

essential detritus in the shed,

 

© Graham R Sherwood 2/25