Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry

Graffiti?
Unauthorised – so it probably was
a mural on the side of the campus building
full-sized, predating Banksy by two decades –
a graduation stunt by a talented trio.
Before and after,
polenta coloured concrete block one afternoon …
vibrant hues of figure the next morning.
The authorities tolerant –
graduation is graduation
boys will be boys, and girls, girls –
a stay of execution, until after conferment.

Blank becomes vibrant
vibrant becomes blank
the curve bisects the asymptote,
a motor vehicle accident
and
death claims one of the artists.
A petition is presented
the mural remained … Still there 30 years later.

I went past before cognition ignited,
Yes, it was there, three decades ago
and four wheels this time.
“ Look out on a summer’s day ” sang Don McLean
I was :
concave of coastline: point, headland and lighthouse
blue, blue sky
travel poster perfect
two wheels, propelled by gravity – downhill.

Inattention – his or mine?
He said it was me
swerving out as he overtook,
so the post hospital policeman told me. I disagreed.
The officer said, “you were left unconscious –
recall cannot be relied on or be considered reliable.”
The insurance company concurred paying only the minimum –
goodwill they said.
Blamed and short-changed for years I was affronted
now, I agree with the policeman – I was lucky to be alive.

Rain was the only redeemer
cold,
fear,
anxiety
incompetence. No excuse. Forget it.
Swimming in the frigid open air school pool,
compulsory,
unless you had a note from your mother.
Don’t even think about, thinking about it –
mine never wrote such petitions.
I thought that cruel,
unloving,
mean,
complicit.
Now,
I think it preparatory and loving –
tough loving,
conditioning for the chills and mandatory of life.