(n11)

bus not due
making a pot of tea
last an hour

© Gerald England

Composed: Denby, 26th August 2005

Publication

2012 Bolts of Silk (Internet)

Both Sides Out

BOTH SIDES OUT

Following
a cold, wet tramp -
arriving,
snow-dripping from neck's back -
a two-hour-chat-cum-cup-of-coffee —
a lift returns me
to where green tulip leaves in the window-box
poke their life
out of the whiteness

Below - the virgin-white garden
Beyond — the ravished slush of road

Inside I warm myself

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Sheffield, 1st March 1971

Publications

1975 INTERNATIONAL WHO'S WHO IN POETRY ANTHOLOGY (Cambridge, Melrose Press)
1990 Next Exit (Canada)
2007 Bolts of Silk (Internet)

Why Did You Come?

WHY DID YOU COME

Why did you come? Why did you come?
that evening seven years ago?
All the trees were covered in snow
You had no money for your taxi fare
and you laddered your stocking on a broken stair
You drank of whole bottle of very best sherry
You called me "Mon Cheri!"
when I dropped the picture on my toe
that evening seven years ago,
why did you come? why did you come?

Why did you come? Why did you come?
that evening seven years ago?
Handel's second flute concerto
was issuing forth from the gramophone
and neither of us that night ever felt alone
Though we said very little what we said meant a lot
for our passions were hot
I wished in my heart you hadn't to go
that evening seven years ago,
why did you come? why did you come?

Why did you come? Why did you come?
that evening seven years ago?
I'll never rest until I know
You came at nine and did not leave till eight
Bacon, egg and sausage was the breakfast you ate
It wasn't to wish me a happy December
No! Wait! I remember!
Of course! You came to tune the piano
that evening seven years ago,
That's why you came! That's why you came!

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Pontefract, 5th April 1966

Publications
1972 THE WINE THE WOMEN AND THE SONG (Pyle, Kenfig Press)
2006 Bolts of Silk (Internet)