Pics

The mountains are warm today,

friendly pale maroon with

richer oranges, scavenged

from a setting sun.

Yesterday they were proud

starched collar, godly grey

spanning the horizon

like a paper tear, badly repaired

untidy jags, in angry misshapen folds.

The locals say it will be cooler tomorrow

and the pics will recline bedecked

amongst white pillowed plumes.

© Graham Sherwood 08/2016

5-Bar Gait

Gingerly climbing the decrepit gate

it creaks then shudders, and

I bark my shin

before tumbling

into sun-baked tractor ruts.

Revealed,

the angry crimson slice

smarts keenly below my knee,

so I dab copious globules of spittle

onto the glistening wound.

Glancing through the hedge,

a similar shoe to mine

mouth agape, smiles back,

then and only then

do I see the funny side of this

ungainly fiasco.

© Graham Sherwood 08/2016