A bitterly cold day

Sun hiding, cowering cowardly,

Behind clouds drawn curtain-like

Across sky, waiting for first signs of spring.

But no first signs of spring today -

Only smattering of small flaky snow,

Reminiscent of dandruff falling

From itchy dry scalp onto shoulders

Of pinstripe-suited accountant.

Descending temperature depths on

Doleful depressive day

Suddenly - de profundis; a coelo;

Startling mood change; micro-murmuration;

Starlings - four or five

Swooping mesmerising mass

Whirling down; whizzing round

Bird-feeder, hanging from back fence

Brutally broken by winter winds,

For first of day’s frequent, fratchful,

Feuding, family, feeding, frenzies.

Father, flapping frantically,

Pecks away at fat-balls in feeder,

At same time freeing morsels

For mother and siblings stood below

On brittle crusty case-hardened garden soil.

Hitherto cowardly cowering sun

Draws back curtain-like cloud covering,

Showing his face, all aglow, and all at once down below

His flaring flaming fiery rays warm and brighten up

What started as a bitterly cold day.