The old tramp was almost charming in the snow
leaning on the bins behind Click and Let’s Go.

Last minute shoppers admired her elegant pose,
face upturned to the stars like a Millais portrait;

the frosted lashes, the blue tint to her complexion,
the frozen teardrop on her cheek. A coating of ice

like cling film on a cut-price turkey, smoothed
the bitter lines around her eyes, glistening

in Sue’s headlights. Look, a white lady! she cried
as she snapped a cool shot for Twitter.

 

Note:-  According to the homeless charity Crisis, more than 9,000 people will be sleeping rough over Christmas in the UK this year.  The numbers are expected to rise by a further 47% in the next decade.