on love

this restaurant sat empty
with fresh roses on tables
something not quite right
where are all the couples?

is this indicative
of the state of the nation
divided, unhappy
recession, inflation?

there’s talk of threats
an under-manned army
who will defend us when we’ve
broken ships in the navy?

do young couples prefer dogs
at the age we had babies
is enduring teething toddlers
thought worse than risk of rabies?

was it the heavy rain
that stopped people from booking
or did every couple tonight order take-aways
or invest time in quality home cooking?

where are the lovers
on Valentine’s night?
watching Champions League football
or TV’s other bland delights?

have fourteen Tory years
strangled February’s height?
have dating apps killed
the joy of going out on Valentine’s night?

or is this restaurant empty
with red roses on tables
because Portmouth’s lovers are kinky
all tied up with leather, silk scarves and pervy cables

a bit of each I suspect
but most likely it’s the thrill
of Valentine’s dinner
massacred when you get the bill

restaurant’s have pushed things
a little too far
it’s cheaper, more cosy and much more fun
to take sandwiches to the seafront and cuddle up in the car

~

n.b. The state of Britain today, desperate. I was at a poetry event on 14th Feb, enjoying an agit-prop performance by Attila the Stockbroker FYI.

CLP 15/02/2024