Delayed Gratification

The rains are due

But they are not with us yet

As the helicopter flies overhead

And the Japanese Garden is booked

So now it’s time for a shower

Also to brush my teeth

And take my prescription medication

Before the day can truly begin

Relationships

It’s 10:30 on a Monday

And I’m a long long way from home

We were surfing on the Sunday

But that moment’s well and truly gone

There’s no petrol at the station

Panic buying has done us wrong

We hadn’t reached our allocation

Before the banging of the gong

It’s Amy on the stereo

She sure was taken, way too young

Like Hemingway at the rodeo

The words tripped off her tongue

We all go back to each other

It’s the way our society is run

Stand right by your brother

In the full light of the sun

It’s 10:30 on a Monday

In the full light of the sun

We were surfing on the Sunday

But that moment’s well and truly gone

Famine

What spirit takes you

What spirit am I

What spirit makes you

Act the way you do

In what way do you need me

To be the way I am

With what evils do you feed me

To make me understand

You say that I ignore you

As if you are not there

You say that I don’t listen

And hardly ever care

The spirit is going on vacation

All of your light will be down to you

The spirit is of one nation

Which sure as hell does include you

Feast

The salt lamp

With its non-intrusive glow

Bathes the room

With an aura of love

Forever to be a memory

Of Manchester, with

Its Grayson Perry exhibition

And Canal Street cocktails

Let alone the savoury treacle chips

Holding On

Aeroplane, bird, car

Pencil lead propelled

Blue bird, grey bird

Names withheld

Due to lack of knowledge

Helicopter, pigeon, ambulance

Chimney smoke expelled

Red bird; Robin

Some names return

Due to intransigent memory