California Bound

CALIFORNIA BOUND

thinks he’ll get up
in about half an hour or so
— the alarm bell rings

turning the taxi around
to go back for her front teeth

sparking an alert
camera left in pocket
by first-time flyer

moved to an earlier flight
due to fog in Amsterdam

sun shines on snow-scape
we are flying
above the clouds

spreading wobbly marmalade
at 29,000 feet

Schiphol Airport
miles and miles of walkways
between the gates

frisked by a security man
for the second time today

hot hand towels
crossing over Scotland
heading towards Iceland

over the top of Greenland
filling in a green form

the whole way across
the Atlantic — still
only halfway there

high above Manitoba
his feet have fallen asleep

inflight movie?
videotape is corrupt
millennium bug?

homebound Emily age four
cheers us with her chattering

after the last meal
long queues
for the toilets

unaccustomed to the heat
we sweat in the Customs Hall

catching a "shuttle"
it encircles the airport
for twenty minutes

afternoon rush-hour freeway
back home it is past bedtime

© Gerald England

Composed: Manchester - Los Angeles, 10th November 1999

Publications

2002 WEBBED SKYLIGHT OF TALL OAKS (York, Fighting Cock Press)
2004 The Same (USA)

September In The City

SEPTEMBER IN THE CITY

Autumn breezes blow coolly
through City Centre Manchester;
a peek-a-boo sun creates sparse warmth.
The peace of Piccadilly Gardens
is shattered by the presence
of Gore & DeKoning’s Family Fun Fair;
loud rock music drives away the pigeons;
teenagers scream on the dodgems;
children dance to the incipient beat.
Queen Victoria surveys the buses
that leave for Glossop or Stockport;
she has her back to the noise;
she is not amused.

© Gerald England

Composed: Manchester, 14th September 1997

Publications

1998 LIMBO TIME (Hyde, New Hope International)
2004 The Same (USA)

Belladonna

BELLADONNA

Belladonna is unlucky.
Belladonna is seven years bad luck.
Don't walk under a mandrake by moonlight.
If he would be fed by tieing thereto
a mandrake screams in his sins rememb'red.
Don't walk under a sleeping bat.
My dame has lost her tongue in front of a sleeping bat.
Jupiter days are good for selling shellfish;
Don't get out a banana.
What you haven't got a black cat has removed.
Don't walk under a crooked cat.
Today is unlucky.
Do not disturb a white cat.
Break a ladder.

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 29th July 1992

Publications

1994 TOPS The Toadbird (UK)
1995 The Vincent Brothers Review (USA)
2004 The Same (USA)

The Vigorous Grass is Quiet Below

THE VIGOROUS GRASS IS QUIET BELOW.

Having the right mind
to reduce the nature of good manners;
but not smart enough to be married without attempting service,
there being advantages to being loved.
One should never remember the inner voice
that is close to the nature of a mountain stream.
It thereby invites injury.
The world is easier when the earth is quiet below.
The mutual restraint will be exhilarating.
Great things should not be exhilarating.
The sage should never interrupt the proper course;
the two possible ways to utter failure
are like the mud of my opinions.
We have heard it said that flesh is blamed on fire.
What can I do to your sons?
What does the future hold in bottom position?
They will lay upon straw,
but one invites injury
as fast as fast as danger can be.
The superior man gets stuck.
Patiently, the old man should await the proper course
through the danger ahead and mobilise the little thicket;
the time removed from the rest with mounting screws.
Though they pulled and broke his mate, they shall be exhilarated.
The sage should go the way
of every successful person of my lady's chamber.
Without a banana it will be quick
and will bring forth approval.
The state produces no error but the darkness at hand.
See what a wife could eat?
When the thunder awakens
they which have fallen asleep
find the most powerful force
to be their misfortune.

© Gerald England

Composed: Gee Cross, 2nd July 1992

Publication

2006 The Same (USA)