Tanka by Gerald England

 

 

 

after thirty years
we still argue which turn
to take
but we always end up
somewhere or other

**


a man's boot
on top of the bus shelter
someone
is footloose on their way
out of Manchester

**


we don't pass the sign
Methodist coffee morning
a welcome break
before leaving on our way
they pray for our safety



**


(i.m. Geoff Tomlinson)

at your funeral
we sit all quiet in pews
waiting to begin
then suddenly - the brass band
blast out - "Hail Smiling Morn"