Especially when it snows

Running rest-day ...

... and here's the last poem from the pictured 1996 Adrian Mitchell volume, which is dedicated to Boty Goodwin; and her parents Pauline Boty and Clive Goodwin.

Without doubt, one of the most moving poems I know:


ESPECIALLY WHEN IT SNOWS
(for Boty [Goodwin])

especially when it snows
and every tree
has its dark arms and widespread hands
full of that shining angelfood

especially when it snows
and every footprint
makes a dark lake
among the frozen grass

especially when it snows darling
and tough little robins
beg for crumbs
at golden-spangled windows

ever since we said goodbye to you
in that memorial garden
where nothing grew
except the beautiful blank-eyed snow

and little Caitlin crouched to wave goodbye to you
down in the shadows

especially when it snows
and keeps on snowing

especially when it snows
and down the purple pathways of the sky
the planet staggers like King Lear
with his dead darling in his arms

especially when it snows
and keeps on snowing