The low January sun

 The low January sun


The low January sun comes in the window

Brightening up the sitting room

That yearns for light and heat

Above the road that froze last night. 


Cars with windscreens icy still 

In cold dark valleys between the houses 

Midday comes and goes unnoticed

In north facing yards and gardens. 


But south facing windows drink in

The winter sunshine with abandon

That strikes sitting room chairs

And leaves long shadows on the floor. 


Grateful for this unexpected blessing

The old man sits in profile, contented

That winters cloak is slightly parted

Like a skirt revealing quiet beauty. 


Such tiny mercies welcome all the more 

In the wee days of the northern year

Grateful for graces freely given 

To good and bad, to rich and poor. 

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