B-sides

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Twos-Day

distant bell/rising mist/new day

heavy cloud/no sun/quick wash

flush loo/take pills/strong tea

burnt toast/news bad/wash up

school run/walk dog/mow lawn

plant spuds/clean boots/eat lunch

short nap/more tea/quiz show

same news/steak pie/zoom chat

dog walk/more pills/set clock 

read book/lights out/count sheep

one, two…..

*

Rejuvenation

first there needs to be belief

that somewhere hidden

under the rust,

beneath the stealth

and ravages of time

lies a treasure dormant,

the weakest pulse,

a signal desire for new life

a second chance to shine

to taste new air

*

You Say

I will take you to that garden

your favourite, you say, with the 

endless herbaceous border high on

an old stone terrace, planted curiously

to only two colours, the garden 

is finer than the house you say, 

so, we stroll to the ornamental 

carp pond, that once fed the monks 

here and count the waterlilies,

you say early evening is best, quieter,

the coach trips having already gone

and the scents begin to elevate in the

cooler air, the birds calm down too,

on every visit we consider the same 

conundrum wondering if the

fabulously wealthy people that once

lived here, spent much of their time 

to enjoy its beauty as do we,

I hope so, I doubt it you say

*