Double Glazing

Down by the river,
snug between the
bridge's sheltering pylons,
where winter's icy rain
can't reach him,
old Ernie drools a little,
and he smiles.
Life is good.

Ernie has his flagon,
and a piece of carpet,
six by three.
Carpet keeps out cold,
and wind,
and is a camouflage, of sorts.

Up on the high ground,
aglow with warmly winking lights,
the finest houses sit.
There are open fires in the grates,
or air conditioning to keep the cold at bay.
Some have double-glazing.

Underneath the bridge,
Ernie tilts his flagon,
and, relaxed against the concrete,
looks out at winking lights
through his own double-glazing.