All swaddled in our winter coats 
we slouch towards the beacons lit 
at the hearts of estates and shopping streets, 
waiting on corners, coasts, and riversides. 
They look out for us, offering shelter 
against the bitter cold, and life’s other weathers; 
buildings in which we are rebuilt 
from the rubble a day can make of us, 
where the amber glint of light caught 
in chiming pints is softened through windows 
fogged with the promise of warmth and talk. 
Inside, we shrug the world off with our jackets, 
our heads are lifted with our glasses, 
and our backs unbent by the music-box of the bar, 
where the best of people, dummy-pulls in hand, 
crank out real ale like poured song. 
This I offer in praise of these dearest of places: 
a toast to the keepers, and their treasured oasis.

Megan Pattie is a previous Foyle Young Poet of the Year and Great Northern Slam semi-finalist. She lives in North Shields with her husband, two cats and a rabbit. Pattie’s debut pamphlet, Tracts, was published in 2021. pattiepoetry.bigcartel.com.

Poetry submissions to: thursdaypoems@gmail.com.