Now all the dogs with folded paws

Stare at the lowering sky

This is the hour when women hear

Their lives go ticking by.

The baker’s horse with rattling hooves

Upon the windy hill

Mocks the thunder in the heart

Of women sitting still.

The poppies in the garden turn

Their faces to the sand

And tears upon the sewing fall

And on the stranger’s hand.

Flap flap the washing flies

To meet the starting hail

Close the door on love and hang

The key upon the nail.

[Photo: display of ranunculars at Napier, North Island, New Zealand]