on the island in the autumn

the weather 
comes tumbling up the Channel
in clumps of clouds
casting thick shadows
jacket on
when the droplets don't look like stopping
jacket off
when sunbeams burst through
'til the next curtain's drawn
white horses riding the rolling green
are broken in on the shingle
beneath the rusting pier

blown along the city terraces
plane tree papery leaves stick
to windscreens, flagstones, the soles of shoes
slimy, slippery, sheets
that make the pavement trickier
camouflaging the skid marks where people have trod
in stray dog dirt

tanned leathery skin
of Pompey people
suggest good health
although the stats say different
cigarettes still commonly smoked
tax avoided tobacco from a Southsea newsagent
plenty of pubs for the sociable drinker
cheaper drinks from corner shops
for the disconnected stay at homers
a can discarded over the hospital fence
a woman coughs, spits
in the street

the old town shelters beneath the new sea wall
rocks brought up the coast from the west
plastic washed up in the cracks
cups, netting, bottle tops
polystyrene, bits of specs
the ferry firm holds the Wight to ransom
its hybrid eco-ship transporting profits
to its wealthy overseas owners
under the guise of saving oceans

The Solent cluttered with brick built Victoriana
new garish markers for Navy ships
carrying out repeat repair sea manoeuvres
flags adorn top flat dormer windows
Ukraine, Palestine, St George
don't forget the monarch's Union
and Pompey's crest
the star & crescent
tops them all
heaven's light
the star that guides us
when we can afford
to Fratton Park
to watch our sport

~

CLP 03/09/2025