Scarlet Ribbons


from the ABC set Camera Obscura

Tricoteuse flock, jostle, fidget, bustle,
All picky pecking at potted meat squares;

Nibbling away at pre-cut fancies,
Hoarding soft crumb with non to spare.

Knitting their souls, later, to be hustled
Down in the market place with tuppenny wares.

In-drawn breath, sucks sound into silence,
All eyes down, it’s about to start.

In steps a Poet, quaking in his hesitance
Now is the moment to live his art.

Volunteers his veins for his truth, in innocence,
Word-paint love, anguish, rend his heart.

A Public Blood letting; umbrella sales, up again,
Vendeuse chinking copper, crowd puller in the rain.

08.08.10 edit

2004

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