Late Lecturer

By Frances Macaulay Forde

Sat, 07 Jun 2025
  • 205 reads
2 comments
 

LATE LECTURER

For Glen…..

 

Skeleton turned to the corner

Polka dots. Orange cord.

Yellow book. Blue Chairs.

Wasting. Waiting. Bemused.

Is it raining yet?

Someone’s gone to pick him up.

 

Skeleton turned to the corner.

Is he counting the bricks

– the lines? Can he hear

the drum beat next door?

Bones are plastic – stiff.

Was it the carburettor?

 

Skeleton turned to the corner.

One arm – half a leg.

The result of war? 

He stands in a ‘Smoke

Free’ zone - a warning.

Why doesn’t he show his face?

 

 

 

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2001

Published Broadsheet. 22/2/01

Written during lectures at University 2001

Certificate 18
Poem
Hidden Capacity ~ a poet's journey (Pub, Ireland 2003)
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Tom Brown on

I always had my last smoke well before the class, always used to write the first few problems out on the blackboard before the period started. Some students also came early to start working. Took my job seriously many of your younger lecturers tend to be very casual about it all. I knew how hard it was for me to get the job and my qualifications.

Wasn't there for holiday. Now I'm a writer, even better! Not smoking either.

Mr Brown

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Actually, my lecturer was my mentor. Long after I got my degree we kept in touch, both very involved in the Perth writing scene, swapping poems and stories.  Still do 25 years later, although in his late 80's, he's more prolific than I am at the moment.  He collected Alfa Romeos and unfortunately his favourite often broke down. I could picture him on a road somewhere, head lost under the bonnet.  It was the only time he was ever late.  Thank you for reading, Mr Brown and the comment.

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