Category: Love

Things were simple then – before electronic cash registers,
a bill of sale, blue ballpoint description of goods,
and tax inclusive price.
The rules said all workers were entitled to :
wet weather gear – coat and leggings
spray respirator
gloves
goggles
rubber boots.
New. Every 12 months. Safety. Thus spoke the Union

Once a year, almost all arrived with bill of sale
received reimbursement
went to work with old equipment and home,
to a new lawnmower,
or dollar equivalent from the hardware store.

The contract ended unhappily – not renewed.
The administration officer stated politely
somewhat apologetically
gear less than 12 months old was workplace property –
could be used for casuals and short-term employees …
“sorry, but could you …”
I asked him : “should I bring my lawnmower as well?”

No comment about sarcasm
or intrinsic unlikelihood of ownership.
No observation of small mindedness
or recitation of employment conditions
dignified and gentle he said, “I’d be really grateful.”

Something tried to remember –
on arrival,
….. and again with payment.
An echo still travelling, yet to return.
A hand gave change and receipt
and swept a rote, punctuated arc … “kitchen, showers, lounge, laundry.”

Laundry??
Laundry!!…. This was the place.
Concrete block endemic of camping ground utilities
3 washing machines, two dryers, one tub
4 metres times 3 metres
4 paces by 3 paces.
Imagination
reconstruction
vicarious …. I must have walked over the very spot.

Annie said :
love decided when it would appear,
made its own rules,
but attention should be mindful,
take her sister as an example –
a young woman on holiday – hitch hiking
a world woken to in tent and sleeping bag ….
shower, eat, pack, stand on roadside …
new destination –
unpack, eat, shower.
Now and then – one from the road,
letter writing and clothes washing.

Clothes –
cleaned
pegged, dried, folded.
Powder? It must be in the laundry …
a man is putting it into his bag.
“HEY,”
what began as a reprimand, ended in marriage.

Al, I always thought his name would be Alan,
Alistair seemed too posh
too like Julian or Sebastian
too boarding school and club,
to from a world,
to which he did not belong … and never would.
We were all temporary immigrants
young – working abroad
bonded by heritage and geography.

Al … Alistair, it didn’t matter
before incongruity could ponder
chance and wit had renamed him, ‘caveman ’ 
 • idolatrous drinking
 • 6 months on the run hirsute
 • primordially unhouse-trained

One evening,
the yard glass –
time trials –
1 yard, 90 cm, half a gallon of beer,
downed by one, at speed.
Caveman goes first – no waiting
gulps
grunts
gulp …
foamy reflux, states of matter –
gas, liquid and solids
mop up, all fours, floor and collateral shoes, with tongue.

Random are the alignments of crowd –
alongside one I never associated with insight or compassion
some people really know how to have fun I say,
in the way people remark on the weather.
Response equals surprise.
“No, it’s not fun. It’s sad.
He’s created this being,
developed an image
and now feels compelled to uphold it.”