[DanaC]

Okay, I've been playing with it - no major changes, but have altered the layout and punctuation, to try and make the rhythm clearer.



For Cherry


A cloud breaks on the Chevin,
tumbles its cargo down,
to the town below, where,
a beaded bench stands silent vigil.
The birds know why.
Passers-by wonder at,
their sudden stillness.

Far away and somewhen else,
through the stark beauty,
of a snow-decked Glasgow,
three ladies of a certain age,
slip sliding down frozen streets.
One in biker boots,
another in sturdy shoes,
the third in day-glo platform trainers,
to better suit her mood.

They are laughing, easy,
it is clear that they are friends.
One slips,
the others reach out their hands.
They share a taxi, a meal,
and inconsequential tales,
of cats in suitcases,
and rings of bells.

They smile for the camera,
wave hello to their friends,
raise a toast to the flash,
of the chef’s spinning blades.
The moment is caught.
The stillness of the image,
a pregnant pause,
in a silent film,
repurposed to a Christmas card.

I smile back, at the faces in my hand.
We don’t move.
Our light is caught, full twinkle.
But I think I hear an echo,
a faint burst of raucous laughter.
Inside, in a bold font,
she had christened us:
‘The Three Christmasteers’
Used a photograph from the previous year.

And now,
it leaps out at me.
Shuffled,
from the little pile of kept things.
A reminder,
of where we were,
at the top of the hill,
before the bench and the birds.