Small Dawn Song

This is just to say Thank You

to the tick
of the downstairs clock
like a blind man’s stick
tap-tip on through the dark

to the lone
silly blackbird who sang
before dawn when no one
should have been listening

to the wheeze
and chink of the milk float
like an old nightwatchman clinking keys
and clearing his throat

Six o’clock and all’s well
Six o’clock and all’s well

The night’s been going on
so long
so long

This is just to say Thank You.