Find solace from the terrible storms that have lashed our coast

published in the Scarborough Review

How Celebration Grows

On the sea's raging white horses

That beat hooves against our coast,

I saw a Scarborough fishing boat ride home

Encircled by celebrating gulls.

I marvelled at  how, in such a storm,

The  excitement of one gull could attract so many,

But didn't know how important that sight could be.

For now, Chinese New Year of the Horse,

When the sea's stallions stampede again,

I remember summer donkeys plodding on the sand,

And know how the excitement of one child

Drew in the hearts of so many, including me.

Stuart Larner