Mannie

Here's that mannie again

Making a big issue of nothing

Superlager handed,

staggering in Main Street,

confessing to the rain.

Breath stinks of drink

Five-day old stubble going grey

Worn out Doc Martens, 

and aged tweed coat , 

he cadges a fag and some money.

Shows the scars:

One from stomach to chest, 

One from top to bottom of an ear

One across his stubbly throat.

He's grateful to the surgeon who put him together again

There were no King's horses of King's men

Fag now lit, he continues the story

his story

history.

I give him money for a pint

Walking on to my comfortable life

my life

my story

mystery.

('Mannie' is the word for 'man ' in Doric, this is a reworking of a poem I wrote decades ago, and which I have resurrected at Open Mic nights)