The earth is tilted away from the sun:
It snowed in the night, and now it will lie.
On the vast ocean, with trinkets from China,
Round half of the world container ships ply.

The stock exchanges and banks are warm,
Computers flicker and mobile phones ring.
Outside the earth is rigid with frost
And the icy grass shows no sign of spring.

I cook rice puddings and read my books.
All the heaters are turned up high.
But homeless people sleep on our landings,
They quarrel and steal our doormats and die.