Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry

Vivacious,
he was
but couldn’t be
only women – men can’t.
Gay
he was
and definitely was not.

The only man in a kitchen sorority
on the first day – right after introduction
he asked
“ who’s available ”
a joke,
that wasn’t.

Talented
creative
chaotic
charming
late: always
over budget: nearly always

Food service is stood on its head
the patients applauded
letters arrived
 ‘like a restaurant ’
‘ so much better than last time ’
‘ arrived expecting ….. so pleasantly surprised.’
A star.

He showed the boss the letter
the salary + $7,000.
She thought it interesting
so did he – and waited
two weeks
nothing.
He asks – she can’t match it
a resignation is offered
a bluff, she calls it.

He left
didn’t want to,
face-saving insisted.

 

Writing –
everyone thinks they can
travel stories the exemplar nadir
a cycling saga once read
London to New Zealand
via Iran, China, Vietnam, the Nullabor
I awake – tired and dehydrated
I pedal, hot countryside, headwinds, vindictive bureaucracy
I feel exhausted into my tent –
for 300 pages.

Poetry,
an industry with more producers than consumers
the webpage gave advice
and
a list of sympathetic publishers
small
art-house
looking for difference, for originality
submissions – twice annually
double-spaced – Arial or new Roman 12 pt
response time
3- 6 months dependent on volume – could be longer.

One publisher offers choice
   1) as above – and wait until contacted
or
    2) take a sample of work to nearest bookshop
remove all clothing
proceed to read out loud.

“Our representatives will appear shortly – they’ll be wearing blue.

An old family business
fourth generation
it hadn’t been present at the town’s birth
but watched it grow up
find its way in the world
become a city.
Returns were solid
not exciting, even to accountants
but the real estate was
not quite yet …… but it would be …… just wait.

Corporate predator
asset poacher
showing the money – sign where?
Great grandson took the loot
the staff weren’t needed
but the parent company could absorb them – no payouts then.

A payout was just what he wanted
would solve his mortgage
he could finish his degree – on hold for years.
The takeovers sent him to interviews
for six months, he practised insubordination
living an applicant’s dream
being smart arsed and lippy
determining exactly what they sought
and speaking precisely the opposite.

The employer blinked
he got paid out
none of the others did.