The Christmas Following

A strange MI6 episode 1962/3 from the ‘cold war’ days.
Heaviest winter snow on record – travel almost impossible!
I hope this winter’s not going to be as bad!

Late back from duty overseas
leaving Kent early

mid-Surrey countryside sped
with distant creep to East
travelling West to South-West
to a house steeped in history
seen, between cumulus steam
polluting the end of an era
a drab Dhobi raincoat flagging
Ministery?

Carols tannoying mid-stations
a pulled down trilby tailed me
from Canterbury to Hindhead via
Redhill, Woking, Hazlemere!
Coincidence? It was Christmas

the nostalgic season for
dormant moles seeking penance
Before The Wall fell, and
Muslim men became pilots
my aristocratic aunt
buffeted by two black spaniels
illuminated last remote steps
from cold Northern darkness

Briefed plans visually tallying
all absconded, into the night
 
 
 
Goth:2021