some days come lovely
despite the weather

mornings come darker with
quiet walks in the lanes


all that surrounds

one branch moves
creaking on the others

sheep stand quiet waiting
while we apologise

further down the water runs
where the straw was laid

the foot and mouth epidemic
those years back

on our way down south we

were diverted
a road block and all that


not crossing the line

never crossing the straw

we didn’t
not once

some are already sleeping
some stay gathering to be


while I do much the same james