National Poetry Day 2020

 

A poem for National Poetry Day

Silver Bells

 

Silver bells, shiny, reflective

hang scattered in the tree branches

 

The old tree lights have fused

once too many times, no spares now

 

The shops have been devoid of anything

Christmassy since October

 

But she has her silver bells

and when they catch the sunlight

 

refracted light crisscrosses the room

as dust motes go dancing by

 

All she needs are her silver bells

and by candle light she can pretend

 

pretend that life is normal

that Christmas is like all the others

 

Outside the birds go about their business

winter tight in on itself

 

Oblivious of rationing and restrictions

earth waits the winter out

 

And she has her silver bells

and will wait the winter out too.

©Heather Walker 2020