Behind the wheel you will soon sit
Eager, nervous and confused,
To operate the many controls
Will tax your multi-tasking.

Review the mirrors, shoulder check
Set the revs and find the bite,
Release the hand-brake and move away,
All without a bunny hop.

And once you've first done that basic skill
You'll do it again, and again, and again
Until without thought you can make it go.

Then we will get into second gear.

Sunlight fills your skies.
Those of us found at your East,
Dream you in darkness.

The rain drops land on the dark window pane,
And are frozen into diamonds scattered on a black felt baize,
By the room's yellow reflection.

I watch the few that break free, run, downwards,
Tracing irregular paths past their cohort
Until they vanish, behind the cold grey alloy finishing line.

In this silence,
occasionally broken by the sound of rolling rubber on wet Tarmac
I read of villains and heroes in futures and in pasts.

And once again,
As my breathing becomes shallow and my pulse becomes slow,
I put the cap on another day, without you.

The summer leaves
As autumn leaves
Begin their bronzing change,
And the midday sun
Has now begun
To exit this once idyllic stage.

The quiet mornings
Crowded only with buntings
Become louder and more coarse,
As bescarfed children
who were once at play
Commence their scholarly chores.

And so the memories
Gained during warm days
Fade into a sepia hue,
But what remains
In the shortening days
Is that darling, I love you.

I'll refresh that blog
Just one more time - no updates,
I'll refresh that blog...