Christmas on the Moor

© Christoffer Petersen, 2021

I paint a shepherd this tar whistling night
trudging lonely moor, through the kissing gate
a long stone wall – frosted wool tufts in the cracks
faithful dog out front sniffs the cold path home

the hearth is warming, and the fire is lit
soot-black kettle on the boil with a plate
of stew and clay apple dumplings tonight
before the evening smoke wisps from spent coals

frost-stiff cuffs and ice in the sweater weave
much stamping of snow on the wire hemp mat
jacket hung, she settles at the table
the chair creaks – waiting for Christmas morning.