A Puzzle

by Derek Crook

After the snow this year
there came no larks.

The lambs came.
The coming of the lambs
we can control.
but there came no larks.

There came no insubstantial emanation
of exhilaration.
Just timid bleating
to assure us
we were in control.

We were in control
But where were the larks?

This year the lambs
were fat and many.
but there were no larks.