Category: Truth

The supernatural world a polarising fog
of scepticism and devotion underwritten by
almost ridicule and not quite belief.
A twilight where reality dims to perception.

Ghosts, often the subject of flickering campfires
restless relics of doomed trails, unclimbed peaks, fatal rivers
seeking redemption. Easily imagined when told well.
Phantoms. Only at night, always vicarious
except
the haunted workplace and the revered predecessor.

She was twice removed
one before, the one before me.
No surname or title ever required
known, well before the interview is over.
On the first day her memory is waiting to greet me
an honoured guest on the tour of introduction.
At each stop tribute is paid – an expanding eulogy
perhaps the spirit world is offering a lost soul a minder.

Flippancy proves to be prophetic. Entry to the present
is blocked by worship of the past.
When my time has come and successor chosen
I raise the possibility of an exorcism.
A gulp of water to coax reluctant vocal chords
to speak sacrilege.
the removal of her name from the roll of honour.
Before courage is depleted an interruption
the heir reminds them of her as well.

Aquarius
the water sign
witness to life’s beginning and end
tears
uncommon in the British colony
with upper lips trained to be stiff.

The union delegate announces a meeting
2 p.m. Compulsory.
not for student holiday workers
management overrules.
Soldiers return from the front
we didn’t need to be told
death slow marched alongside.
The three R’s.
Reduction.
Retrenchment.
Redundancy.

Nature shrills
in the men’s
a man whose name I think is Tony
cheeks crumpled and wet
we both turned away urgently
walking in on an undressed mother-in-law. It never happened.

In a camping ground common room
a discussion about recent traumatic events
that bitterly divided our country
riots in the streets. Sport the cause.

A couple recently returned home
after
a protracted period of international travel
and work as financial alchemists – high flyers.
They giggle conspiratorially
employers have been told their return date is later
having seen the world
they now wish to see their own country.
In the New Year, new responsibilities
he, to the custodian of the nation’s purse
she ,to the protector of its currency.
We laugh at the harmless fraud.

The evening drifted into a new day.
It began when they offered wine
uncommon at the time
only three guests, that night, rude not to.
Not exactly a glass, a plastic mug
still
We talked ….. and talked
so much in common, especially humour.
A dozen years older – significant at that age, but invisible.
Through the buzz
of goodwill – and untamed alcohol
faint soundings of imperfection.

In the morning
separate ways.
Farewell.
Laughter. They drive off.
Clarity
he is extremely good-looking – movie star handsome.
she, considerably less than plain
a combination I hadn’t seen before.
Or since.