The Winter Proper

It was dark when you got home

And only getting darker

The garden overgrown

Was further than you thought

From the driveway to the door

You fumbled for the porch light

And somehow you were sure

That there was something wrong

She's going if not gone

And nothing said would stop her

Put something warmer on

And await the winter proper

There was no need for a note

It couldn't have been clearer

The absent duffle coat

The clothes across the bed

They spelled it out instead

But still don't understand it

All those books you never read

Maybe this is what went on

She's going if not gone

And nothing said would stop her

Put something warmer on

And await the winter proper

At night the helicopters move above us

Searchlights over roofs

Of lovers hiding from home truths

The covers starting to come loose

In our modern bedrooms

With our ancient problems