Survivors

SURVIVORS

the ex-gamekeeper
an octogenarian
with gray-less black hair
recalls the ball of lightning
hover outside his window

never reaching ground
it suddenly exploded
masses of water
his wife is on the toilet
the bang nearly frightens her

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 31st July 1999

Publication Panda (UK)

Mayday

MAYDAY

A tanka sequence

The postman is late
he brings three pieces of junk
two picture postcards
a letter from your mother
and my tax return

Calling to be paid
our local window-cleaner
verbally attacked
by the little barking bitch
still wagging her tail

Coronation Street
interrupted by the phone
my son calling home
18 months since TBI
arranging to visit us

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 1st May 1998

Publications

1998 Mayday (Internet)
2000 Panda (UK)

Drowning by Degrees

DROWNING BY DEGREES

for Stevie Smith

Shrewd secretary secretly smiling
in your white socks and unfashionable shoes
you were never understood
by those who would flee suburbia
never taking the tube
to an office in the city

You were always Peggy from Palmer’s Green
to your authoritative aunt
living in nomansland
well removed from that sea
where the father you hated
waved in the salty water.

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 14th March 1998

Publications

1998 The Self-Help Poetry Kit (Internet)
2000 Panda (UK)