i was looking out
from the corner verandah
before the breakfast rising

silent snow
pure white flakes
jostling with gentle
breaths of air

swathes of soft pompoms
slow motion parachuting
soundless down

thick white world
trees drooping listless
gardens smothered mute
stone walls crystalline

layer upon layer
immaculate white fractals
in a flawless white setting

untouched
absolute quiet

not a dog barks
not a bird calls
in this hypnotised world

what of yesterday?

when the sun did shine
from a crazy old sky
when we larked about in the pool
laughing and shouting
under the willows
where we kissed
pressed on warm earth

hydrangeas
pink and blue
buzzing insects
skidding lizards
darting dragonflies
life’s riotous colour
and cheerful tumult
all about us
carefree

before
the snow fell