rain drumming on the windows
the occasional rumble of thunder
bed next to the chimney, which could be got at through the window
but it is safe from assault or flight —
there are prickly pears and yuccas at the bottom
incidental whiff of wood fire
wisps of smoke pleasantly waft from the chimney next door
the illustrated works of shakespeare
velvet-bound, gold-emblazoned
perches on white wicker next to egg cups wearing french berets
ancient palm fronds escaped from ashes
mingle with yesterday’s roses and a stalk of koala entree
lavendar, cattails and autumn’s crispy leaves round out the decor
in the giant brandy snifter repose two clumps of now-dead moss
one cleaned from the crumbling bricks of augustine’s abbey
the other pilfered as a memory of stonehenge
a giant’s paperclip clutches a postcard of lewis chessmen
while nearby primly sits a bowl full of broken glass found on railroad tracks
wind rattles the windows as the rain patters down
the scent of coffee lurks in dusty corners long unkempt
alice wonders from the fizzling wall whether she can trust the caterpillar
his mushrooms are not the only ones to be found here
lamps illumine where all the candles have gone out
quills and ink-stained nibs lie silent
awaiting inspiration from a mind a-drift on the seas of time
new greets old
hot treats cold
black filters white
darkness hides light
the muses amuse the bemused green lover
on the rainy naomh padraig afternoon
