How swiftly

How swiftly

Soft clouds roll

Whispered apologies

Taper behind

Vapid promises of substance

Never amounting

To a sun kiss

Before pale shadows

Swallow colours

From the wetlands

A gathering of salt mist

Riming leaves with silver

Pretty as a maiden’s song

As she collects ripe fruit

From hedgerows

Sweet breath clouding

In a brief chill

Of condensation.

Before the first

Rain falls

There is pause

A silence of possibility

When the sun winks

In promise of surprise

From behind its

Gauzy veil

Broadly beaming

Patiently scheming

A prodigal return

A slow burn

Through a chiffon

Of sea fret

At first light

In the morning