Breakfasting in Winter

Toast crumbs and

Buttery knife flecked with toast crumbs

And cold dregs of fruity tea

Settling into the bottom of

A borrowed tea mug.

Now a slowly un-yellowing light

And a rising sun complete to fill

Shadows. Dark places

Where the light never touches hold

Coldness, a blanket-tugging chill

Settling on bones; snow yet unthawed

Grows over the street outside,

Listening to the groan of the postman’s

Van as it rumbles under a crystalline sky.