ROUND THE CORNER

February 2021

'Spring's just round the corner,'
you reassure one another
although you wrap up well
as trees still stand in
majestic nakedness, a keen
wind stealing your breath away.

The sky wears its winter beauty
thrown in pale gold strands
around the horizon, between-
times snowdrops lean white
hoods on the churchyard wall.
You hold gloved hands, shiver.

There's a tap-tapping from
the treetops - and again that
busy tap-tap-tapping. You stop,
'Woodpeckers?' you whisper, eyes
searching the high branches - males
showing off their builders' skills

to fancied females? You hurry
home, spring in your step.