WINTER SUNLIGHT
First published in 1918
Shadows are long and lean
and very black
making their hand-in-hand way
along a sunlit road.
They mingle and two-step
with tree shapes
twisting and twirling
to the music of a blue wind.
A clear white-cold light
scars the eyes, blinding
the staid walkers as, slowly,
they re-trace Strictly steps.
They remember Balling
the Jack, long-gone nights
in black tie, long black frocks,
hearts and feet in perfect time.
Now they shadow-dance with
black trees, keeping in step,
jiving, waltzing, fox-trotting
into the shimmer of winter.
