The Ivy needs a Cut

~

the ivy needs a cut,

trellised beneath the 

night lights its limp tendrils 

bother an infrequent wave

to an embarking night 

casting a spectral shadow

that easily wakes me

with all else around quiet,

4am and the blackbird choir

are already tuning up high

in the greengage, the

unseen new-born finches 

offer clicking from within 

the damson as if not 

to be outdone,

I listen to Anna dreaming

and imagine the story that she’ll 

hazily recall between each 

spoonful of breakfast muesli,

dawn is both magical and wasteful

chalk and cheese twin sisters

that vie for my eye,

I notice the stone flags are wet

and the cool air tangs with

a whiff of Chardonnay, it’s

grassy herbaceous fingerprint

sprinkled heavily throughout

the leafy shrubs,

from across the street I see

our elderly neighbour Joseph

is already dressed and on the 

move in silhouette, a bobbing 

shadow puppet octogenarian,

these peaceful zen-filled moments 

are precious gifts I often miss

as shadows lift in the emerging 

light, gently reminding me 

the ivy needs a cut

*

© GRS 5/24