Winter Emptiness

Winter emptiness.
Nothing would grow.

On the branch of a tree not a leaf.

No sound or sight
of people lightened the night.

Only the buildings stood out in relief.

I waited: but there was no
reason on Earth for doing so.

In silence close to grief
I turned to go.

Winter emptiness.
I walked back down the lane.

A lamp was shining in the rain

and the tree sparkled like a dress.