We met not at all
In different time zones
Making absolutely no effort
To dress up, dress down
Or even dress
I lay naked in bed
You in pyjamas, (so you claimed)
All bathed, teeth brushed
We watched a dating programme
Vicariously
On laptop and TV
Slightly out of sync
In our respective countries
Exchanging quips
By WhatsApp
Before the briefest
Exchange on the phone
“Night, night”
“Good night”
We fell asleep together
700 miles apart
.
CLP 30/05/2020
Hear that?
The deranged fluting
Of squabbling neighbours
In hedgerows, on bushes
Ceaseless bickering
An endless stream
Of chiding and chipping
Away one moves
The others follow
From pillar to post
To willow to fence
Unable to let rest
Whatever the matter be
Resolved or not
There’s always more to add
Or subtract from what’s already said
Not happy until everyone’s unhappy
Are the anti-sociable
Flocking, mocking starlings
.
CLP 30/05/2020
Bloom of white roses
Sweet blossom fills empty rooms
Heart aches for your scent
.
CLP 27th May 2020
Norfolk
Burdensome clouds lift
Birdsong trills, butterflies freed
Rose scents refreshed
.
CLP 21/05/2020
Pour une personne?
“Oui, merci” he led on
“Ici, monsieur.” last table
I accept my fate
~
I accept my fate
Grudgingly, placed here so
Close to Anglophones
~
Close to Anglophones
Whose conversation disturbs
I order in French
~
I order in French
Mumbling words; incoherence
Distraction de gauche
~
Distraction de gauche
My concentration weakened
Eat, drink & make notes
~
Eat, drink & make notes
Unable to filter sound
These are not my thoughts
~
These are not my thoughts
That convert to ink on page
Introduce themselves
~
Introduce themselves
Of course, it’s only polite
When one sits so near
~
When one sits so near
To taste your saliva, hear
Un-spoken whispers
~
Un-spoken whispers
Moonbeams illuminate curves
“Keep your eyes open”
~
“Keep your eyes open”
Dialogue ceases; ears wake
Touch, smell, taste alive
~
Touch, smell, taste alive
Capture this moment in time
Une personne ou deux?
~
Une personne ou deux?
Is this important,or just
Immaterial?
~
Immaterial?
There is only ever one
“Nothing’s forever”
.
“Nothing’s forever“
Train reaches destination
Get off? Or stay on?
.
Get off? Or stay on?
On station master’s whistle
A heartbeat to choose
.
A heartbeat to choose
Door lights signaling closure
A heartbeat to choose
.
n.b. This is the poem I originally drafted in stages. I then posted a revised ending, but actually I prefer this version.
CLP 10th / 17th May, 2020
Effect of maelstrom?
Downpours, cooling, clarity
Horizon sharpens
.
CLP 21/05/2020
Are you in, or out?
Be still now. You have chosen
I accept my fate
.
CLP 19/05/2020
