Last Day Of January Poem by David Wood

I walked around the marina this morning
In a bitterly freezing north wind,
Walking head bend against the cold,
And wading through a blizzard of angry gulls
Scavenging over bread someone put
Out for their breakfast earlier.

Away from the melee I came across the
Usual troops standing to attention, some
In rows, others scattered forlornly
Around parts of the cold harbour.
Their dates of birth proudly displayed
On their black coats.1854,1876,1842.

They are retired now but they once
Held fast two masted sailing brigs
Delivering bushels of wheat,
Hundredweight bags of sand or tons
Of bricks and taking away coal. It was
Far cheaper to sail in goods than by road.

Now only Bermudian sloops or power
Boats sleep side by side in the cold
January morning. Hibernating until
Their owners realise they own them.

Today is the last day of January and I'm
Glad to see the back of this unwelcome
Month that only offered clouds and more
Clouds interspersed with fine drizzle
Or heavy rain.

Over the sail bridge I passed two paddle
Boarders below making their way under
The bridge to the slipway now lined with
Yachts propped up ashore having their
Winter makeover.

The cold wind was making my eyes water
As I finally reached the monotonously
Poorly equipped supermarket cafe to warm
Up, all the while the gulls were still arguing
Over bread. I thought how human.