Hail is rattling against my bedroom window

I am holding it at arms length

As I hide under my warm blankets

A week ago I was sitting

On a coastal terrace

Looking out to sea

The air was mild

And the sun was bright

Spring had already

Presented her calling card

This was a favoured illusion

An early theatre promising much

I was not fooled

As I sensed that the ice winds

Were in hiding and not that far away