Sliding down

Sliding down

Snow-covered hills

On the back of a dustpan

Cartwheeling into a drift

From an orange box.

I’d never heard of Madeira

Other than the cake

It was a different world

The trees were old friends

Stoic and reliable

Some of them still stand.

Longer-lasting than

The kindest of intentions

Drifting in kitchens

Dreaming of relationships

And out-of-body experiences.

Hearts flutter

At the least thing

The shimmer of despair

Glistens in the eyes

Sentimentality

Is a poisoned chalice

Too slippery

To hold on to

Falling is endless.

Too many people

Wait for the other shoe

Which never drops.

The lino is worn from pacing

The itch unscratched

It always seems to be

Just out of reach,

Elephants bring down trees

Trying to find release.

Children cartwheel into life

Arse over tip

Finding their way blocked

Hitting the buffers

Like toboggans in Madeira.

Dreaming of climbing trees

Swimming in moonlight

Surrounded by silver

The sparkle of golden

Fishscales

Lithe bodies

Flooded with adrenaline.

The ripple of the water

On pale skin

When all is done

There is only the clock

Marking the time

As innocent dreamers

Prepare for disappointment.