Love and the Boiler

LOVE AND THE BOILER

In writing your love poem
please remind me of your hairpin
on the crumpled sheet
your shabby fluffy slippers I fell over
on the way to the loo
my curses and your giggles
and how the cat crapped
on the doormat
soiling this morning's Times
and a letter from my solicitor
because we stayed in bed so late

avoid more sentimental utterance
and write with your green plastic
fountain pen
on paper torn from that cheap
school exercise book
you used for our first love message

then place it on top of the boiler
where I will notice it
after I have kicked the cat out
cleaned up
and scrubbed my hands