Start Monday

~

the first sign of mercury 

on the incline brings a tang

of freshly mown grass and

burnt charcoal, which along

with the cuckoo, are rare

harbingers of finer weather,

the aroma of apple blossom

wafts the length of the garden

and the chardonnay is over

bud-burst although not much is 

expected from it this far north, 

salads and early potatoes

have already pushed through,

I’m nursing a new gooseberry

and it’s an oak before ash year 

so water could be tight,

sadly, even though there were

were several early viewings 

the tit box remains vacant,

a queue of May jobs jostle 

each other for attention not

least three pieces of fence to fix, 

but today is for rest with a 

glass of chilled Verdicchio, 

which gifts its own lean grassy 

signature to complete the scene,

this week has been harder

than I had imagined, so if it’s 

alright with you, I’ll make a start 

on the work Monday, 

promise

*

© Graham R Sherwood 05/25