Today we built a Dalek
Today we built a Dalek made of snow:
a swan-white triumph, fully four feet high.
The winter blues were banished in one go.
We worked for half a day and watched him grow –
an apple on a stick became his eye.
Today we built a Dalek made of snow.
We armoured him with stones, row after row.
Bamboo-cane weapons trained on leaden sky –
the winter blues were banished in one go.
On days off work, you need something to show
you didn’t just sit in the warm and dry –
today we built a Dalek made of snow.
You ducked, and said I must improve my throw,
as yet more of my snowballs went awry –
the winter blues were banished in one go.
The thaw will soon restore the status quo,
exterminate our Dalek, by and by.
But today we built a Dalek made of snow,
and winter blues were banished in one go.
Abegail Morley 