She is a messy eater
the soakaway pebbles
always strewn across the path
near the back gate, she
shimmies under for supper
never paying or leaving a tip.
Tonight, she’d booked the early table
announcing her arrival so loudly
we thought Bea had returned
with her puppy Bella
to cadge something for school.
The sandwich ham slipped down
easily and very noisily, manners
not foremost on the agenda
drinking similarly raucous
from a recycled dessert pot.
A couple of blue/green flies
constantly circled, riding chaotic
shotgun orbits around her head
she looked very displeased.
Mains finished, a low calorie
worm was fished from the border
to complete proceedings
no thanks, no offer of payment
definitely no tip.
*
© Graham R Sherwood 07/22
grahamrichardsherwood.co.uk 