Winding Down.
The last rumbling bus comes to a halt, ejects
it\'s sole passenger
and as light dies down drizzle begins.
Dry laundry on lines tangles and wets;
well-fed cats doing their rounds
collect damp coats;
and as quiet smoke rises from chimneys
village life trundles home.
A lone owl half-screams and owners wisely
shut all fowl indoors;
the fox often roams hungry in gloaming
looking for supper.
Cottage hearths now cosily lit welcome
with glow those within,
dozing the dogs seek fireside closeness
to dry damp coats
though requests to move over are met
with indifferent snores.
Farmyard\'s old gate creaks as young Kate
takes last peep at labouring ewes,
and hopes dawn will
break drier on new mothers\' bleatings
for all lambs need chill eased
by milky-filled warmth.
Day winding down sees timed benefits
in breaks for most farming folk
whose work rarely ends.