Skyline 2

Hazy hills over pylons

and chimneys leaking

smoke that adds to the cloud

that curls around gulls

and occasional shafts of sunlight.

A half-stained building

of grey and yellow rises weakly

not far to meet an uninspired sky.

Philosophy

All of these things are what I know.

I contain them in ice until I need them

and reflect their choices onto days and weeks.

Need Me

You need me,

you need me to talk

to you when alone

in darkened rooms

to draw you close

and to make everything

seem to be alright.

You need me to reassure you,

cajole you, embrace you

and all that you are.

And me?

I need you to need me.

Funeral

Heads bow,

Voices rise

and hush follows significant words.

Ritual to calm the hearts,

of those left behind,

to mourn,

to cry,

to live.

A candle flickers

and a last note is coaxed from an organ

before feet shuffle out

soothed briefly

by sympathetic smiles.

In Line For Ellis Island

Something faintly ironic about

hundreds of people waiting

an hour or two to visit a place

that others waited hours to get out of.

The multitude of languages and nationalities

merely reinforces the irony.

Ney York City-April 2008

I woke this morning,

miles above the street

behind only one window

in an endless hall of mirrors

reflecting the morning light

casting their illumination

on the lives that pass below.

Stop

Stop before starting again

pause for a moment’s thought

to consider surroundings new

let me glance around

subtly assessing the moods

of those occupying the spaces

near me but quickly cease

recognising them as mere

bit-part players mouthing only

rhubarb and custard nothing real.

The curtain will soon come up

and an unseen audience will assess

my performance before filing out exits

into the dark fumbling for tickets

for multi-storey parking.

Prisoner

Hold me in your mind.

Hold me close,

and imprison me,

like a criminal in your hands.

I will only be released,

When you don’t care anymore.

I can live without,

That kind of freedom.