IISZ 2018 Challenge #4 - Word Dog Run

[Keith]

Corn flower and dust

The car park is pay and display now
and I know I'll say to someone
"it used to be free"
just to hear my voice
and watch my words disapate
in pretend smoke plumes.

I chose the old bench
it seems to fit the curve of my back
and I like the ruff crackle of green paint
splintering into that front door blue.
It reminds me of our hands.

The foundations have spread beneath
the rivers bend, the fallen millstone
flashes silver ghosts of breached wellingtons
and dog chased ducks. Drying socks.

The old stone bridge
trip trops an arc that frames
the fields beyond.
A heavy frost is hiding fleeced sheep
from my cold watered eyes.

I didn't get the hot chocolate,
Nigel would have asked
and I need the summer,
its back packed sandwiches,
its childish chase around the toilet block
and the dressed in all the gear
walkers, saying "we come here every year"
Yes
Nigel would have asked,
so I'll see you when it's warmer.
I'm going to wait and give someone
my ticket, and they'll say "thank you"
and I'll say "you're welcome"