Still Life With Ducks

STILL LIFE WITH DUCKS Hurry off to work and rush At the crossroads need to push Through the waiting green-man crush. Traffic gap – dodge a light – Can’t be late – my time is tight. Foggy breath begins to float As the cold assaults my throat And shrinks my skin inside my coat. A slowly-moving man in front – Sidestep him with breathless grunt. Snapshot spotted from the bridge – Deep black river’s icy edge Frozen over by the hedge. Nothing moves, not gull nor duck. December day dawning dark.