In the winter darkness, biting cold

Clamps onto our rigid bodies

Desperate for the summer sun

To kiss the skin with puffy lips,

The red hot sand between the toes

As little girls and little boys tap-tap

On tops of upturned plastic tubs

To make their castle masterpiece

And dads work hard to build their moats,

Mums will shield their eyes and watch

The older kids on rubber floats

Calling out when heads bob under

‘Come back to our meeting spot

For sandwiches and warm pork pies.’