Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry

Geometry
solitary advantage afforded an interviewee
the unequal triangle
panel and table confronting single chair
renders visible
affirmation or alarm – confirmation is perpendicular.

The principal turned 90°
her eyes put the motion
a nod seconds credentials as acceptable.
Candidacy is a finalist. So far so good.

A pause.
“um”
another pause.
One matter needs to be addressed
“ the group you… er…the successful applicant
will be working with is poor and aware…..and…. ”
a third pause.
“And ”
I seem…“ah…a little…um …a little too… ah… middle-class.”

Present-day circumstances concur
history offers a submission
of time spent in factories, kitchens, killing plants
working alongside threadbare spirits in thrift shop clothes.

Both look ahead – address heard – jury unmoved.
Attendance is thanked.
Contact promised.
The verdict delivered. By mail.

Two weeks
God’s assigned convalesce time
medium to low grade anguish.
Examples
second date dumping
failing an exam
not getting the job.
The day is mild and untroubled
traffic lights share the unurgency
change can wait.
And wait.

Two drivers turn toward the other
palms up good natured forbearance.
Both are acquainted. Briefly. Very briefly.
One could not be expected to remember
a principal who empathises with poor people
at the wheel of a large, late model Mercedes Benz.

Her surname was a synonym for brutal
It seemed apt.
Older – not by much
a policewoman in the life before this
used to remaining unchallenged
and having the last word.

The workplace as playground contest
some feel obligated
baiting, taunting, gibing
put downs – timing is everything
skilful and lethal
like fisherman executing trout
with insects betrayed as barbs of wire.

When tension had passed
and anxiety calm
a deft feint of her tongue
then
the beheading edge.
One upmanship
with the discretion of a scalpel
the promiscuity of a bomb.

Away from an audience
her back turned against bravado
engaging
almost warm.
Inside
was meek Helen
working hard – very hard, pumping up tough Helen.

Silver haired and self-assured. Charming.
He was willing to help

Nothing was a problem
generous with his time
afternoon slides into dusk
he offers dinner – basic but filling.

We are a spontaneous collection of mountaineers
a mixture of hard experience and soft dreams
Four planning to climb a test piece peak
but only having equipment for two.

He is managing a nearby ski field
we ponder if they have any surplus equipment
expecting to be rebuffed but surprised.
Yes. It was a quiet time. It should be okay.

Four people did we have a second rope?
No. It would be much faster. They had a spare.
Only later is the significance realised
when an old climber intones two things in life are never lent
a wife
and a rope.

The start is an hour’s walk from the village
we can borrow his car.
I look on in amazement at the generosity
I would love to have.

After success a celebratory drink
only coffee but seeming like Scotch
deep and warming
a surprise visit from our benefactor
he kisses the only woman of the four
full and lingering.