Watching Vera

Vera frowns -

She's had no sleep - 

On CCTV the suspect looks like a malign ghost -

March 2026

The apples he ate in Alma Ata

I drink coffee with Peter amongst his books -

He talks about Russia -

The circus in Moscow -

Pushkin -

The Field of Mars -

The apples he ate in Alma Atta -

Watching Colombo

Colombo chews his green cigar -

Narrows his crinkly eyes -

He's questioning the murderous sheikh -

You may have something there he says -

I have to ask some questions -

March 2026

Each branch a promise

Rob plants the cherry tree -

He digs with a shining spade -

Each branch a promise -

A sweetness waiting for my tongue -

East Stoke 

March 2026 

Top boy

Rob still has the swagger of a top boy -

That bounce in his walk -

The brilliant mischief of his eye -

East Stoke 

March 2026 

Morse

Morse is listening to opera -

It's midnight in Oxford - 

There's been a murder -

It's raining -

Morse hides his heart -

Drinks another whisky -

Turns up the aria - 

Closes his eyes -

Murmurs bravissima -

Bravissima -

March 2026

After The Secret Agent

After The Secret Agent I dreamed of sicarios -

A sweltering city -

A police chief with blood on his carnival shirt -

Wareham 

March 2026