POSTCARD FROM DORSET

LATE SUMMER WIND

(Rhyming verse challenge WINNER)

Creaking inn signs, anchored on rusty chains,

swirling leaves in night-deserted lanes,

Soughing and sighing

the wind keeps vigil over her domains.

While raucous birds object at break of day

the trees are dancing wildly to her sway.

Whistling and whining

the wind keeps vigil over her domains.

At noon the sea is writhing and foam-flecked,

the waves grow higher, now with spume bedecked.

Roaring and raging

the wind keeps vigil over her domains.

At eventide small boats rush helter-skelter

into the safety of the harbour’s shelter.

Groaning and moaning

the wind keeps vigil over her domains.

When all forsake the day and trundle homewards,

when all is quiet and gathered safely inwards,

flurrying and hurrying

the wind keeps vigil over her domains.

Grace Galton