I didn’t even watch
the clouds taking a day off
from collecting rain
or the squirrel eating the nut
it couldn’t be bothered to hide
or the leaves relieved
the wind was busy elsewhere
or the dog letting mud just dry
on its paws waiting for it
to get bored and fall off on its own
or the river sitting still
or the grass not worrying
about footballs or feet or bikes
or however this poem should end.

Carl Burkitt 2025