Clare Harvey

Warrior Square

The early sun tries -
Then fails,
Flips fragmented and defused,
Slips into the fold of mist
Diaphanous and light as muslin
As it obscures tree-tops.

Seabirds surprise -shock
As they loom down,
With dog-like barks;
Following the bag-lady
As she shuttles back and forth.
Frightening the draggled pigeons
Fluttering after her mumbled breadcrumbs.

Droplets at dew-point fall on wings,
On the crocus print grass
In cabouchons of light,
Turning the world upside-down.
As the drunk turns on his bench
Ruffling his newspapers,
Face to the wall -he knows:
One day he will freeze here
In this - his small oasis.