On my father’s 83rd birthday
Unpeg each loop of guy
from the tent he saved
from his scouting days
roll up those hot July nights.
Fold away the summer meadow
put each petal in a jar
Pour metal buckets full of river.
Wind his moss green sweater
around the spinny.
Fill up the shelves, shut the door.
Rowena Warwick is a writer of poetry and fiction. She recently won third prize in the Hippocrates poetry prize (NHS section). When not writing she works for the health service.