October Retreat

Greatcoat flaps around
frost bitten feet like a stray cloth
dog yaps a frenzied hunger.
Taut white blighted knuckle grip
doublebreasts heavy wool pinioned
against the biting wit of sabre winds
determined to test her humours.
Button threads hang empty,
one by one, caltrop cast
in the hooves of destruction

Close order, a ragged trail weaves
through churned carnage; charnel
landscape wake of a Caporal,
comet burning less brightly now.
Horses, men, terminally entwined
Centaurs in corruption of form
seized in impossible twists,
livid limbs; a folorn felled
frozen forest, ice sculpted
in disbelief until sharp release
of springs' regret,
pools all lymph as one.

Freezedried horseflesh feast
spit-smeared on a once young face,
now grim seared redgrey rictus fixed,
lost; laughter lies at home,

hearth warmth, a clouded memory,
Breath too cold to inhale,
blow it out, a plume
backlit in an aching light.

Still smoking spires
choke, an eyesmarting
lesson of Moscows' pride,
Her legacy kicks hard inside,
claws at her belly,
ribs a coffin rack
while the land
beats the drum
Russian Winter at her back.

2004