Or A Short Walk During Lockdown
by Anna Sivia.
I needed a breath of air,
Alone.
More than a breath,
A gust.
Quick walk, then stride,
Across the Slade
Up Brewer’s Bottom (Ha!)
Squeeze through the dark wood
Past the huddled hens
And pampered sheep,
Sidle through the kissing gate
Past ruffled mare’s tail pond
Fork left
Into the ash copse:
Branches clashing overhead,
Bark scraping
Strong shoots of hazel
Whisked in the wind.
Tiny mouse head buzzing below.
I swing my arms, fill my lungs:
Cool air of rushing wind,
Warm pulses of fitful sun
Blown out of the wood
Into wide open meadow,
Breathing and breezing.
Will the wind’s gusty breath
Lift my quick feet from the ground
Beyond branch clash and mouse death
And then, tiring of breezes,
Give a sigh and drop me
Where it pleases?