W. H. R. Rivers

The natives thought the Christians strange

saying 'Let's all kneel and pray'

'cause the only reason they knelt down

was to fuck in a comfortable way.

Bonfire night.

The little boy in the pushchair waiting

for fireworks to start in the dark

took off his beanie and sent it sailing

over the damp and muddy grass.

His mother picked it up and returned it

to his head to keep him warm

but impatiently he spurned it

and threw it even further away.

Mum retrieved it, back in place,

but a third time the hat went flying.

This time she kept it to herslf

and told him off quite sharply to his face.

Mum went back to her friends in suits.

He kicked off his boots.

The green bin truck pulled up beside the house.

Two orange eco-warriors jumped out.

I passed one "Wow, not many women do your job."

She smiled. Walked on.

I passed the second operative, a man.

"It must be nice to have a woman around."

He smiled. "It is."

Leaving the local leisure centre

I recognised the male manager

from the time a year ago

he banned me from the gym and so

I didn't bother to say hello.

The crush of customers made us wait

a little while to pass the gate

but then he did something to astound -

outside the exit he bent down

and picked up a dog-end from the ground.

To relax and calmly drift asleep

I think back over the day and keep

in mind some event about which I can say

at least I did one thing well today.

Life together

There comes a time for most young men

to realise beauty is not for them;

no beautiful woman will be their wife

but plainer ones may share their life.

And as for the women, they soon know

that no Prince Charming is going to show;

enough for someone to always be there

to show some kindness and give some care.

And yet for all, daily life will thrill them

with beautiful babies and wonderful children.

Autumn

Autumn is two faced, double headed;

Janus looks back as well as forward.

If the seed set in Spring sprouted true and grew,

then the flowering of life as something new

produced the glory of Summer beauty

and heralded Autumn maturity.

But looking forward is less attractive

as life slows down and gets less active

producing the fear in shrunken apples

that what were fruits become vegetables.