Waiting

WAITING

a solo alphenga

always the long wait
to see the doctor
at the eye clinic

blue flowers in a vase
starting to wilt

caught short
the little girl squirms
her mother looks cross

dreading the needle
middle-aged man shivers

early morning
terrier barks furiously
at approaching milkman

fog-bound passengers
phoning their loved ones

gulls wheel
behind the cruise liner
expecting scraps

holy mountain
hell for climbers

in the gallery
next to the nude
a portrait of mary

january sales —
city traffic gridlocks

kicking the habit
ex-smoker spits out
chewed up pencil ends

licking his lips
at the bride’s first meal

master cueman
escapes the snooker
and pots another red

neon lights flashing
above the bordello

only one customer
enters the doors —
the pub with no beer

preparing for her night’s work
the stripper gets all dressed up

querying the bill
angry diner swallows
the torn-up pieces

resolving the argument
in adjacent beds

stuck in the quicksand
tractors and ladders
work against the tide

tempted by salesman’s offer
her nest egg cracked open

under lock and key
his collection
of used underwear

vacuuming the carpet
her latest fetish

winter storms forcast
they struggle with tarpaulins
to cover the boat

xeroxing the plans
for the christmas party

yellow crocuses
emerge early —
frostless New Year

zealously guarding
his innermost thoughts

© Gerald England

Composed: Stockport, 27th January 1998

Publications

1998 Still(Internet)
1998 Thorny Locust (USA)

(48)

I have two children
and therefore have no need for
any alarm clock

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Birmingham, 19th December 1981

Publication

1994 Thorny Locust (USA)

Where Are You Going My Little One

WHERE ARE YOU GOING MY LITTLE ONE ?

Stop

Sit down

Think

Do not rush on

Stop

Sit down
quietly
and think

If you have nowhere to go
then please
stay at home
and leave room
for those who know where they are going
to travel there in peace

If you have somewhere to go
then go
and only make diversion
upon a change
of destination

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Ackworth, 1st June 1967

Published

1969 Tait's Quarterly (UK)
1973 Roots (UK)
1994 Thorny Locust (USA)
1998 LIMBO TIME (Hyde, New Hope International)