Night-time at five

already night-time 

at five o’clock this evening,

and unseasonal, 

uncomfortable warm.

the city is wearing 

its large muddy overcoat,

leaving the office

and attempting to swagger 

the quays.

carrying an umbrella 

which thrashes 

like a panicking partridge

caught in a hand 

by the legs,

holding a bag 

with a laptop, 

some pens

and some notebooks, 

dodging the splash

of a passing inconsiderate taxi.