Category: Love

The sign instructed cyclists to dismount –
the artery of the street disrupted
viscera exposed.
A shortcut – suburbs less visited,
euphemismsville –
underprivileged
lower socio economic
first home area.
Project housing –
Identi cube clapboard
anorexic landscape, reluctant lawns.

Seen better days?
It was car almost in name only
forlorn,
the driver, thin and threadbare.
Grace of God wondered if she’d eaten breakfast
her child dressed in discount clothing,
but clean and well cared for –
reluctant : three or four-year- old tantrum refusal.
The woman explained it was too hot to remain in the car,
she was quiet and patient –
a hostage negotiator,
the big picture : the future.
No angry words, threats or arm grabbing,
she talked her daughter out … and around.
I mounted my bike – stereotypes felt chastened, very chastened.

Margaret had been around a bit …
the world several times
12 years older
merchant navy –
“NO, not cruise – cargo: I didn’t do the Love Boat.”

Now ashore, working nine to five
she thought her fellow worker callow … easily sharked,
didn’t know carbohydrate from sewerage,
except she said shit from sugar.
Coal eyes flicked away, then back
steel flexes, then rigid again.
“You need to be careful. You know Jack shit.”

I thought it posturing,
ramping up her tough girl image,
tried to dismiss it
but it never quite went away
came to stay when we saw our first house.
She was right. I did need to be careful.

The lawyer said, “that’s what I’m here for,”
and would I like a cup of coffee.
“No, thank you.”
She said,
“I feel you could use something stronger,
but we don’t run to that,
so
“I’m going to get you a cup of coffee. I think you need it.”

Packed,
closer than economy
less distance than a movie theatre
when directed to stand – football stadium elbow to elbow.

It couldn’t have been easy
addressing several hundred people –
at your beloved father’s funeral.
It wasn’t –
the frequent pauses evidenced composure gathering.
She said, “dad wasn’t a do-gooder
didn’t like the term
but liked to do good,
he liked to help people pass their exams,
get a first home,
find a job.”

Find a job –
10 years away
and the economy petulant – it was difficult, very difficult.
No one would give work,
to someone who wasn’t –
“ where are you at the moment?’ –
……… scratch.
He fell between acquaintance and friend
still,
he knew something was wrong.
I evaded,
but he persisted.
When I confessed he said
“tell them you’re working for me…. It’s ok, I know you won’t let me down.”