It's Still Life

Quickly on Blenheim

Story goes
they were caught in a rainstorm.
Sudden. Unexpected.
Diana’s temple
was their cover.
Their umbrella.
He proposed
as the story goes.
But he was a politician –
nothing goes unscripted.

—

The rose garden
is dry as crackers.
Soil is puzzle-poxed.
Black spot and
cirrhosis.
Rain is as scarce
as public toilets
around here.
Excuse me, your lordship,
where’s the Ladies, please?

—

Ate sandwiches
in the carpark.
Tuna. Lettuce. Pickle.
On crusty white.
Like me.
A bit fishy,
and crusty white.

—

Miz Quickly’s Whereness