A window at my work
looks out over
a huge expanse of wasteland –
slabs of concrete and cobbles,
all beginning to sprout wild grass
and buddleias.
Hundreds of old car tyres
lie in a heap,
huge puddles lie everywhere
and broken fencing is scattered
all around.

This really is a picture of desolation.

This winter’s morning
I rush down the corridor
on my way to start work
when something catches my eye.
When I turn around to look
I am just in time
to look through that window
and see the sun rising
above the Craigantlet Hills.

This is not a spectacular sunrise.
The whole of the Belfast sky
has not been lit up
with glowing colours
and passers-by will not be
reaching for their cameras.
This sunrise is very simple
very unassuming.

I watch
and as this winter sun slowly rises,
gently lighting up the Belfast sky,
a sense of calm grows within me.
Standing at the window
on the brink of a busy day at work
I feel at peace.

Isn’t it amazing
how there is beauty to be found
everywhere –
even in a wasteland?

© Claire Murray, 15 Jan 2015