Category: Lies

Many years later
the boy
who had been head boy
became a figure of professional respect
almost recognizable
a B list celebrity, well known for his opinions.

Three years separated our births
17 and 14
head boy and second year
junior school and most senior
Disraeli’s two nations
“ignorant of each other’s habits, thoughts, and feelings”

I don’t remember much about his tenure
an address at the beginning of the year
cameo appearances welcoming or thanking dignitaries
possibly a valedictory at prize giving.

When inducted a senior by age and examinations
I came to know head boys had many qualities
often equilibrating that difficult balance
approval by peers and authorities
but always casting their vote with God
never tempted by The Devil.

A nothing is urgent Saturday on Public Radio
the well-known former head boy
explains his views to the genial host
people shouldn’t be surprised
he has always been opinionated
willing to be unpopular from very young.

Scepticism often attaches itself to a photograph labelled iconic
Old Glory raised on Iwo Jima
MacArthur wading ashore to return
an exuberant V-J Day kiss in Times Square
a loincloth waiting to vote in an arid ex dictatorship.

Staged?
Ex post facto?
Photoshopped?

Authenticity is absolute – verifiable by God
the most characterful photographs ever taken
chapter one verse one emotion as subject.
Disappointment. Five men. Defeated. The South Pole.

It is unfaceable – a Norwegian tent
a camera and piece of string
capture rawness for posterity
they leave only photographs and diaries.

Death by starvation. Malnutrition as accomplice
ambition the money man paying for the hit
a brutal quotient too many miles not enough food.
Double or quits?

Everybody is a winner
except the one who did
glorious failure trumps flawless professionalism
to history Scott is a legendary figure
Amundsen a footnote.

Her qualifications were almost ideal
suspicion pondered them too good
the perfect applicant is more so
with a trace of imperfection.

A question as to why she wants this job.
The hours are good
the children need her more now
economics dictate she work
but not so much
the present position cannot be altered.

Third to be interviewed and the best
two more follow
she is not displaced.
Paperwork and referee notes are collated
a recommendation is placed on the top desk.

The phone is ringing urgently by return
enquiry as to whether an error has been made.
No. An instruction not to proceed. To take further thought.
This is unusual. Background busyness swells to importance.

Time gathers and rushes to departure
the replacement yet to be chosen
a decision is needed soon, very soon.
An approach, a sigh and heavy pause.

Questions light in manner heavy in authority
about suitability, roles and function
a pen stops mid descent. An answer echoed.
The spotlight of inquisition turns green, to permission.

Persistence always thought itself the victor
standing firm for a department head’s right to appoint staff.
Memory snags and sinks
clothing catching and tearing
response as arbiter
“the second cook never leaves the kitchen.”
A brown face where all others are white
a private hospital
partly healthcare, partly business class. Image.