The barbers

The barbers with their Assyrian beards -

Their dark eyes - 

Their memories of wounds -

Wareham

2026 

Returning to Greeneland

The midnight train leaves the capital -

I've a hairlip -

Counterfeit notes in my pocket -

Cruel stars filling the sky - 

May 2026 

Your photograph

I saw your photograph -

You are becoming smoke -

Soon you will be air -

I remember your kindnesses -

Your laughter -

The music at your wedding -

Salisbury 

May 2026 

Outside the Emporium Cafe

Wearing my sunglasses -

Hiding my eyes -

Trying not to show how much I longed to see you -

Your husband telling me about acid jazz -

Emporium Cafe

Swanage 

May 2026

In Boscanova

A drowsy piano in Boscanova -

A girl with red hair and piercings -

A single tulip in a vase -

Boscanova

Boscombe

Bournemouth 

May 2026 

In Chococo

Ordering a flat white take out in Chococo -

Bank Holiday visitors watching the deft barista -

A young man with a prophet's beard -

His beautiful girl adorned with mysterious tattoos -

Chococo

Swanage 

May 2026 

The more precious

Reading Leonardo Sciascia in the garden -

The lawn newly mowed -

Birdsong -

The fragrance of cut grass -

Warm sunlight - 

The more precious because of the lateness of the hour -

The Old School House 

East Stoke 

May 2026