He can’t tell anyone
that winter is his favourite season
because everybody loves the sunshine.
They call his dark nights
miserable and refuse to imagine
walking with no coat on,
boots crunching frosted pavements
louder than the thoughts in his head.
There’s only so many layers
you can take off when you’re hot
and it is frowned upon
to peel your skin off on the beach.

Carl Burkitt 2024

‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’ by Roy Ayers.