Tuesday 20 August 2013

Villanelle

I never thought to have such thoughts as these,
Such thoughts as shake the bed-clothes late at night;
But having them their trouble starts to please.

The Stranger caste our fates upon his knees
But vanished with the warm card brought to sight;
I never thought to have such thoughts as these.

He left small doubts and crafty fears to ease
A tremor in the brain-pan’s dark and fright;
But having them their trouble starts to please.

The door with gargoyles swung before the keys,
A window smiled, and you, your skin like light;
I never thought to have such thoughts as these.

Our days proceed. In shop queues someone sees
Me distant with my thoughts, their failing fight;
But having them their trouble starts to please.

For I can think you naked like a tease
Or old and docile still as warm at night;
I never thought to have such thoughts as these,
But having them their trouble starts to please.

====================
© circa 1973-76

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Love Story

Drunks in the street stagger to waiting wives
At chucking out. The cold road gleams like oil,
Littered with light from a few shops gazing
Empty-eyed into the indifferent night.
Buildings squat like black irregular teeth
Gapped by the silent cave of sleeping roads.
Another day has dropped from a useless life:
I’ll wander home, make coffee, go to bed.

Lunchtimes and evenings spent in public bars
With darts and talk, watching a silent telly
Shelved above the barmaid; the puerile jokes,
The loud and lengthy laughter, spittle strung
In an open mouth, a pint glass wobbling on
The table – these define my life waiting
For the door to open: lost love crouches
Beneath its shell, its smoke-stained sour charade.

I know an upstairs room where I could get
Some comfort, past the black grease of landings
Where thin doors hide the lonely toil of life.
But such a grim fumble sickens the past
And fouls the hour when I must face myself,
Loosed on the street, the cramped throat of the city,
Lonely without you, my lover, my love.
I’ll wander home, make coffee, go to bed.

====================
© circa 1973-76