When thunder flashes and lightning claps

The icicles grow upwards from the taps

And point to a sodden, saddened sky from whence

The coldest rain fulfils the earthly floods

Restoring thus a zest for life in parched soil.

The hatless Ilkley shepherds fly backwards to their moor

And worms find their way at break of day

To feasting on the likes of you and I

Until something snaps.

Navigators seek meridians on their maps

From eastwards to the west and northwards to the south

To discover the unseen energy of Qi so that we mortals

May enjoy the stable calm that leads unto

Those reasoned, rugged elements that,

Some do say, will save our souls.


Things of a sodden past lead to a sadder future for us all

Hands of clocks move backwards or, better, stand quite still

As a Proustian definition of a time to kill

In year 25 of century 21

The robin pines for signs of footsteps in the snow

Is this the way to where we go?

by Roberto Cavaleiro Tomar, 18 December 2024