Children playing in the Wood

 
I saw them in the wood playing hide-and-seek
old fashioned clothes hoods and leggings
as photographs.in the family bible.
And what a game they played!
hid behind the trees hands about their faces
count to ten,’I'm coming’ but I could hear no voices,
the woodland colder now could not hear their mother
no bird song in the air …………………..
I went a little further, the path I knew so well
cracking twigs and cones Jack barking at the wind.
I wore no hat or gloves not so cold today I thought
but a mist enclosed me in a fog, or so it seemed
yet it was only noon and the sun shone bright.
Jack to my side pressed against my leg
stayed close, unusual for him,
 wished I had my hat and gloves,another mile to go.
 Children playing hide-and-seek.
dressed in white all three their bonnets and their boots
I asked them where their mummy was
as silent now as then..........
turning looked at me and melted in the sun.