Love's Winter

At 8.30 pm

in the soft light of a yellow globe

when I am clean and warm

the children are happy I have time for them.

We peruse the books

Then I read,

I read as well as I can with feeling and expression

we are all happy

they fall asleep as I read.

Full of thoughts about owls and pussycats

I find you in our room

in bed.

I switch the light off as I come in

“For Christ sake, cant you see I’m knitting !”

Sorry. I slide into bed

in the pyjamas I hardly ever wear

and turn my back to you

with the light on

and look out through the window

staring into the dark rain

of love’s winter.

John Hayes