Flannel Nest

Nestled round
head, body embedded

nothing exposed
except tip of nose

to Arctic cold
dispensed by windows

flannelized environs
duvet, sheet, and pillow

cocooned away
from a foul-weather world.

I've Discovered My True Englishness

From reading comprehensively
English mysteries, novels, plays
I discover myself in some portrayals

a reticence here, an empathy there
everywhere offers of warm-tea welcome
served with friendly, engaging banter

ever disposed to perform one's duty
dispatched agreeably without complaint
across complex, relational webs

earnestness multiplied to a fault
tempered by quiet introspection
amid affinity for flowery bowers

often complected as rosy-cheeked
sweet tooth quenched by chocolate treats
Dubonnet penchant shared with the Queen

I feel my quintessence in an English skin
churned out of old Anglo-Norman stock
alloyed with a southern-bred politesse.