Sunny morning, a bit blowy. Our poet Simon Haines has another Spring poem. “Written after checking out Simon Armitage’s new book about blossom commissioned by the National Trust. We went for a coffee to keep warm and the subject of the poem was very visible from the window. He had some sort of receptacle on the ground, and a pleading look. Passers-by ignored him and he obviously got cold and tired from standing waiting, and fed up hoping for money.” Day 481 of the daily new poems.
Spring blossom
Welcome all – it’s the first day of Spring,
and to mark this splendid occasion,
Simon Laureate brings a new book out
hailing the coming of blossom.
In our town centre a man stands quietly
shifting his weight from foot to foot,
noticing passers-by who look quickly away,
not bothering to hold out his hand.
Weary, he sits down on the paving stones
on a comfort cushion of sorts,
his knees provide a rest for his arms
his arms a rest for his head.
There are no passers-by now – he closes his eyes,
and wearier, lies on one side,
with his head on the cushion,
and knees pulled up for warmth.
So welcome all – it’s the first day of Spring.
and to mark this splendid occasion,
Simon Laureate brings a new book out
hailing the coming of blossom.
Simon Haines