No One Knew Why Poem by Charlotte Peters Rock

By the fire
for the last time
the woman held her coat
out to the blaze

Warming gloves and scarf
she put them on
Orange woollen hat
set on yellowed white hair

Blizzard conditions
forecast a difficult walk
Plodding on head down
feet stumbling

Drifting snow in gulleys
trapped her footsteps
Where the bus stop should have been
she realised she was lost

Total whiteout
blurred direction
Behind snow covered footsteps
No going back

Looking for a building
Feet leaden Lips blue
Panicking heart
Sitting to catch her breath

Tired So tired
.. Just for a minute
then I'll go on
.. but which way..

Eyes closed
Face still as alabaster
Breathing slowing
They found her

sitting upright
clutching her bag
in her right hand
Bus fare in the glove
of her left

16Mar1996 CPR