Picturing myself in the mountains, 10,000 miles away

I build the cottage myself
the local woodcutter asks if I need any help
then apologises, turns away
realising my craftsmanship
is impeccable

I fill the attic room with the favourite books of the villagers
given to me one by one.

There is a knock at the door
I say hello to Belle and Sebastian
ask how they found out my address.

We play football
all the goals are overhead kicks
scored by me

I share a feather duvet
with the headmistress of the local primary school.
On the wall are pictures of us
painted by the children she teaches.

A local bar is named after me
“You mean so much to us”
a girl says, turns round,
her friends nod in agreement.

When it all gets too much
there is a manhole cover I can lift
climb down a rope ladder
a waiter pours me a rum and coke.
I tell him about my day
ask if he’s heard any good records recently.