Roland Baulcomb

© Roland Baulcomb 2005

Trees

The seasons turn as if on a whim

Trees exploding in bright bursts of colour

Russet and red hang from each limb

A sartorial battle between each other

Chubby and stout or regally thin

A whisper of cold makes them shudder

Because winter’s cruel judging will not be fair.

For when it is finished, all will be bare.

A Gate Still Open

A gateway, but no gates

An open invitation before me

Tree lined the driveway straight and true

My life, if it were so simple

No twists, jagged turns here.

Flat and black it shines

Whether from sun or rain

I cannot tell, blue sky or cloud,

The lion’s blank stares offer no clue.

Stones silent in patchwork coats

No choice, reflection, not now.

Those gates closed little relief

Black on black my carriage goes through

Not iron shod wheels or horses hoof

Of smiles or tears past.

Voices silenced, old doubts crushed

Ancient sights inspire the young

Inhaled, the breath of futures born

Dull embers glow with life renewed

Unrestrained, through this still open gateway.

Meet and Greet

Meet and greet that’s me and I hate weekends, I really do.

Keep smiling, that’s it you know you can do it.

God how I hate smiling.

Just look at them.

Haven’t you seen a stuffed toy before?

Well, just wait till you see the price tag.

Keep smiling, but does my jaw ache or what.

Thank god it is only the weekends.

A week of this; and that would be me off to the funny farm.

Oops pushchair alert, better sidestep quickly or…shit that hurt. Keep smiling, no of course you didn’t see me.

That’s why I wear these bright red trousers and lurid blue jumper, so people like you can’t see me.

God my backs killing me and its still only morning.

What is that stuck up my nose. Wonder if I can get it out before that women turns around? Probably not.

Knowing my luck, she’ll turn round and see me standing there finger up one nostril and smiling like the village idiot.

Well only one thing for it, and sniff.

Bloody hell!

Breath, breath…swallow, my eyes oh my eyes, visions blurred, blink, blink…

I wish I hadn’t done that.

Oh why can’t I sit down, just for a minute?

Of course I’m alright, I’m smiling aren’t I?

You just keep looking for your size, if they have one that big.

I dare you kid. Do you have any idea how long it took me to stack that lot.

Do it and I’ll batter you with a Piglet.

Oh and I’d be smiling while I did it.

These lights are beginning to make my eyes smart again.

I’ll probably leave here at the end of the day looking like a zombie.

Keep smiling.

Hurry up lunch break, I’m starving.

Strange that, considering I had my usual Friday night curry binge.

And what was left for breakfast. Mmm cold curry…

I’m hungry.

Pushchair! Missed.

Ouch!

No it’s alright, I can use the other eye. I just didn’t realise it was still raining, inside.

What is that smell. Hey, kid is that you? Need a new Pooh Bear jump suit. Pooh Bear,get it? No you don’t, do you. Oh the wit, I surprise myself sometimes.

Where is that smell coming from?

Oh god.

It’s me.

The curry.

Shit!

Keep smiling…