By Ceinwen E Cariad Haydon
Three o’clock, walk time
in this lockdown world –
I check my pockets: hanky,
hand-sanitiser and keys.
Some days, sunglasses too.
Every day, old trainers
and unwashed hair
scrunched in an old scarf –
first steps deepen breaths,
so good to be outside.
Route choices excite:
golf course (bottom),
winding paths by railway,
gradients, golf course (top),
along a quiet road, over stile,
down through fields, woodland
reserve, gates, home. Or
the same in reverse?
Each day, I notice more,
wrens, bluebells, ramsons,
blackbirds, beetles and bees
(honey and solitary).
I love passing other walkers,
their kind care as we negotiate –
who will step two metres
to safety’s side, smiles
projected over our strange gap.
Every day, each hour each hour
spent walking, sunshine or showers,
I learn to praise rhythm, routine,
shy thanks – for this day I’m alive.
Ceinwen E Cariad Haydon [MA Creative Writing, Newcastle University, UK, 2017]
Ceinwen lives in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and writes short stories and poetry. She has been widely published online and in print magazines and anthologies.