I don’t keep the curtains drawn in the summer,
being at the rear,
the sitting room is not overlooked and
I like to watch the day slide away,
the trees briefly silhouetted until darkness
smothers the garden’s subtle colours.
I wasn’t expecting lightening
it wasn’t forecast, just one flash
both surprising and rather disappointing
the blackness turning to a negative
resetting instantaneously, as did my attention
to an old concert on TV.
I don’t know how long the figure
had been standing there
outside the patio windows,
it just seemed to have loomed into view
as if focussed by a lens,
no features just shape, human shape,
greyness in front of the black
immobile.
I ought to have been frightened
nagged my thought processes but
there was no fear
as I walked tentatively to the window
and stood there, face to form
no words, no movement,
both transfixed sandwiching the glass.
after and age I returned to my chair
I don’t know why,
the form remained motionless
an intent voyeur.
I realised that I was crying
a relieved sob, as if in recognition
as the dark shape moved
with an almost imperceptible nod
before fading out join the blackness,
as the music faded in
‘us and them, after all
we’re only ordinary men’.
*
© Graham Sherwood 06/2019
(lyrics Pink Floyd)
grahamrichardsherwood.co.uk 
I was wondering if the title referred to the Pink Floyd song. The poem is very atmospheric, just like the song, and I like it lots G.
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Hello Colin (by the way I’m going to order your new book, just haven’t had time to do so yet, but I will). Yes I was watching the recently re-run Pink Floyd ‘Pulse’ concert on TV late one night after the other half had gone to bed. The setting was just like the piece except from the apparition. But it was the ‘what would you do if’ element that prompted the poem. I hope you are well!
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