There’s always something to see at night!
FROSTY NIGHT AND JOGGER
They’re a sleepy lot
Down our street,
With the yellow lamplight
Shining on the ground,
Waiting for the first jogger
To come huffing and puffing
Down the silent morning.
Frost drifting through the air,
Tiny white dots of magic
Coming from nowhere.
The night cat is on the prowl,
Shaking its head to rid its fur
Of the tiny icy coldness.
Finding a bit of left-over fish
And a few frozen chips
Thrown down in a brown paper bag.
Still hungry. Still furious.
The dog in the warm kennel whining
For its owners to come home
Take him with them.
Take him away from the fox sniffing
Around the white garden,
Wondering if the tiny dog or the cat
Were small enough for supper.
The jogger suddenly slipping,
Landing with a crash and cursing.
Getting to his feet, bouncing.
The yellow lamplight growing brighter
And the fox eyeing him, suddenly tired
Of being cold and hungry.
© 2024 Gwen Grant
Poems by Gwen Grant 
What an ending. Certainly glad to be a daytime walker. Occasional deer and possums are welcomed.
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its like a narrative poem, where we’re witness to the street and time as it passes around the jogger. very cool!
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Beautiful poetry 🌺🌺
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I’m intrigued about what might happen!
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There are so many situations which leave that question open! I think always of what COULD happen because, really, anything could happen. My fantasy book ‘Bonny Starr and the Riddles of Time’ had me constantly thinking that way and I loved it. Glad you liked the poem. And I love your blog.
Gwen.
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Hi Gwen! Your poem is an absolute delight! I love the cat and the frozen chips!!! Hope you are feeling better.
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Where can I find your fantasy book Bonny Starr and the Riddles of Time?
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Thank you so much.
Gwen.
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Deer and possums?! We get dogs, the occasional night cat and that’s your lot.! But, yes, Foxes are around.
Gwen .
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Thank you so much. It’s so encouraging to read that!
Gwen.
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Of course. They’re no threat really.
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Glad to hear that but it sounds so unique and fabulous!
Gwen.
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I am, thanks, Sharon. I’m all over the shop today getting back to rights. Thank you so much for your comments, I do appreciate them.
Gwen..
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It’s on Amazon, I think. We republished it years after it came out in 1987 by Heinemann. and again by Collins Lions in paperback 1989. I used to get loads of letters about this book and a million questions whenever I met children because it provoked so many questions. My book Private-Keep Out came out in 1978 and is still available today 2024 by Penguin Vintage (Referring to your blog about how long art of any kind lasts) Published in paperback in Collins Lion 1989. Also in Chinese. Gosh, I had to look all this up Sharon! Reminded me of thing I’d forgotten.
Gwen.
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You’re welcome! Hope you can sort things out over time – of course!
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