GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME

The wide world has its glories

In a rich complexity

But sitting watching the sun set

Is good enough for me.

Canada has six time zones

From sea to sea to sea

But one tide lapping where I sit

Is good enough for me.

The muezzins in the Saudi mosques

Wake all to pray and pee

But a rooster crowing in the bush

Is good enough for me.

And Singapore is lush and green

And managed prettily

But scrub grass and a sandy beach

Are good enough for me.

All – good enough for me.

Published online: Snakeskin 225, January 2016

Saudi Arabia

There are no women here,

Just shapeless black cloth bags ignoring me

That drift like windblown plastic bags along the street.

So I must love the stray cats under cars,

Living in dust under parked cars on broken streets –

For they at least watch with big haunted eyes.

I find I dream of cats the size of women,

I stroke their fur,

They purr.

Published: Ambit 211, UK, January 2013

Roughing It In Europe

One two three four Is OK, but you need more: Un deux trois quat’ If you want a welcome mat En to tre fire With the krone getting dearer, Bir iki uç dirt Selling off your jeans or shirt Wahid zoozh teleta arba In a cafe by the harbour Üks kaks kolm neli For some food to fill your belly; Jeden dwa trzy cztery Language may be shaky, very, Uno dos tres cuatro But they’ll love you if you’re up to Eins zwei drei vier Trying freely, laughing freer. Published online in Unsplendid, February 2011