Frosted Pond

Saturday, 3rd January 2003, West Yorkshire

Dark ice-crusted earth,
a sparse powdering of snow.
The consommé of pondweed
turned iced gazpacho.

From the woodland-edge ash
to the boughs of the oak
wisps of wood pigeons wheel
and tumble like smoke.

Frosted eye of the pond
ringed by mid-winter mire.
Spiky iris leaves rising
in pale ochre fire.