Unimaginable (Poetry)

I can’t imagine Christmas on the beach
without the merest hint of ice or snow
or think of balmy breezes, sun and heat
instead of lantern light and candleglow

A festive salad isn’t quite the same
as turkey, roast potatoes, parsnips, sprouts
and carol singing must sound rather lame
around the pool while trying not to melt

as weather forecasts warn the reading’s high
and set to climb — stay in’s the best advice
there’s not a cloud in that so-fierce blue sky
so chill the beer and freeze the chocolate mice

And dressing down for dinner must be odd —
bikinis, shorts and t-shirts little more
bow ties are out — the host sits sandal-shod
and pours the plonk, then toasts old England’s shore

Although I can’t say I enjoy the cold
I’d plump for frost this special time of year
not frizzle to a crisp — browned-off and old
I’d rather keep tradition — bleak and drear!