80.

Early December

Thin snow lies over the land. Chaffinches and sparrows flock to the scattered sunflower seeds . Fox prints across the garden: nice sharp claw ends and one foot placed carefully behind the other in such a straight line. Some of the prints are just in pairs as if left by a two legged creature. The fox likes to place hind foot into fore print.

I look carefully for shoots, for hopeful  signs amongst the iced grass. The sun wavers weak light and  drops too soon behind the western hill leaving a blue grey glimmer as I retreat to the fireside and a new book.