Misty rain mizzling on light breeze;

feeble yellow glow of sodium lights

struggle to ward off enveloping darkness.

Muffled traffic noise throbs,

forming a faint, rumbling bass

to the smothering symphony of night.

Footsteps clack on damp pavement,

resonating in natural echo chamber

of towering terraced houses.

Dark trenchcoat shrugged further round shoulders,

hunching, hands deep in pockets

a solitary figure hustles along the pavement,

quickening as bus rounds corner,

with air of alarm almost palpable,

As the tantalising need for refuge

Hangs in the balance.