She raised her eyebrows
Spoke in that condescending style
Which suggests she has the authority
But more than by simply being
Posture, upbringing and mental strength
Gift her this delightful sublime appearance
Next time it will be the dhal
Or rather the Maharashtran dhal
Which conforms her place presently
Men are in charge, in restaurant, shop and café
Perhaps they are personally chosen
Or maybe it is a nod to their societal background
There is opportunity out there
But it is out there
It won’t come to find you
Today for instance
The marble rolling pin
And bread board
Ideal for your outdoor
Pottery venture
Lattice, lattice and lattice
Why wouldn’t you expect to pay
So why arrive at the till
Without card or cash
Although the five-piece minimalist set
At sixty-five pounds
Is way outside your budget
Where next is the question
Back to base perhaps
To leave other places
Such as the cutlery factory
Until tomorrow
Or the day after
Bathe in the reflections
Of this morning
Along minor roads
Which you sort of know
Even if you are uncertain
As to where they are going
Sunlight streams
Through leafy trees
Bringing a sparkle
To the beginning of the day
This community would suit you
You could feel at home
In this location of friends
Who sadly are in decline
Might you breathe new life
But first to become a Quaker
How does that work
What are the entry conditions
It would be good for you
To shape it in your own style
In such a way in which
You haven’t been able to before
The eyes of sadness
The finger tapping of dismay
He takes off his dark glasses
To feel the light of the world
I don’t have anyone
To hide you from anymore
I don’t even have to hide you
From myself anymore
He took off quickly
Climbed even quicker
Until he settled
Then leaned slowly
Into a wide circle
As was his routine
I had asked before
What was that noise
In front of the house
Above the house
Behind the house
Within the house
I was not reassured
No matter
What others felt
About her well-managed
Lack of
An appropriate response
Of course she heard me
Those shuttered eyelids
Told their own story
Of a saleswoman
Or fighter pilot
On estate duty
On Bluestone Heath road
Keeping away from the house
While the estate agent
Tries his very best to sell it
Instead a circular tour
(Except one road was closed)
To the three towns
Nearest to Revesby Estate
I am no town planner
But to have a toilet block
With all four doors locked
Seems to be an extravagance
Is this a prime example
Where the private sector
Could make more use
Of a town centre asset
Have I ever been so sociable
Agreeing to everything
The salesman suggests
Could I have quibbled
Tried harder
For more of a bargain
Will I forgive myself
In the fulness of time
I didn’t even go for a test drive
The sky is white and grey
Embellished by the remnants
Of a giant smoke ring
Which says quite a bit
About my day
What with all this stillness
We don’t sell date slice
I was in no position to argue
Yes you can have a muesli slice
How could I complain
But what about the coffee
Yes it is Americano
And the red brick church
Was it built by the founding fathers
You may have to go to the bookshop
To find the answer to that one
You mean the place which no longer has a café
But I have already been there
Best find yourself a bench then
There’s one at the cross roads
What about Cornish pasties
I thought I saw one in the window
I’m afraid they’re beef my love
And baked right here in Lincolnshire
Should I go back I wonder
To complement her
On the confectionery or the conversation
