Author: tq1695

An egg shell walk to reception –
early of course.
A friendly greeting and enquiry,
the reply already listened to.
She knows why I am here.
A polite directive to an empty chair.

In a hallway,
outside a closed door.
Sounds are prospected –
silence is good. Laughter bad.
Nervous adjustment of clothing,
furtive rearranging of keys and wallet
– the bladder tightens.
Concentrate.

Break a leg : facts, + charmlist

1. Recall what was submitted.
2. Imagine likely questions and potential traps.
3. Play it cool, but not cold.
4. Be warm, not hot
5. Act affable, but not familiar – that might be thought glib.
6. Think fast and be adaptable, this is the big league.

The longest wait,
longer than the dressing-room,
longer than the altar.
The door opens. You’re on – now.

Two days later a phone call.
an unnecessary question
is interest still valid? “YES”. We would like to offer…
Victory. The winner. The chosen one.
Some feelings lived longer,
none was this intense.

Subtraction –
= addition in reverse
= moving backwards = undoing
= minus (-) : most trusted helpmate of revision.
Infinite subtraction
returns infinity … to zero.

Divorce – marriage – love – error of judgment = single
single – divorce – hatred – loser husband/wife = new marriage.

A man once told me,
he was solely responsible for electing George W. Bush,
because,
after the invasions and the wars,
everyone claimed not to have  …. “so it must have been me.”
Conscience – polling booth choice = absolution.

I almost missed it,
in Saturday’s paper, 8cm x 8cm.
‘We seek ….’
It was the perfect job. It still would be.
I saw it over 30 years ago,
and wanted it. I still would.

For three months a gypsy’s life,
finish one crop, move to another
berries – hops – tobacco.
The trick the old hands said, was a tree job
apples or pears – a solid 3 or 4 months,
not a few weeks like the vines and bushes.
The best came last –
an orchard at the tail end of the season.

Topography
rising
closing fist-like to the hills.
The sun came late and left early
when alone
and when light and shadow colluded
The Deliverance came to mind.

“Generous Mike,” we called the owner
example: serve lukewarm tea and coffee
“ you’ve finished your drink – back to work.”
Blood from a stone? Perhaps not,
but eight hours + 2, 3 or 4 minutes – everyday.
Later I learned of his large mortgage
half a million
when being a millionaire was still a landmark.

Five permanent staff and four seasonal –
an American midwife,
a cardiologist to be,
a Bank of Ireland economist on sabbatical
and a brand-new graduate.

One break time we asked about attractions
any recommendations?
We could go to the beachside campground
one replied,
and see people without clothes,
he often did – circuiting slowly in his car.