The view from the street

When its lights shine into the indigo street
every flat whispers of home.
If books wink from windows
the story is one that I know.

Now, on the train, as I write that verse,
the big, downy-lipped boy beside me
cranes his neck. I'm offended -
he's viewing my voyeurist's poem!

The words between us

You were something to me, no use denying it -
though talking about the past, romantically,
is surely in poor taste.

Plans formed around you, expectations around me,
but you lied away my trust. I disappointed you,
you'd be fair to say but didn't.

You said I was your life's love, poetically and too late
and before you had your babies. Against pride I hope
you've given them my place.

We shared a bed of language neither understood.
Some poems, some lies, some promises, comfortable but false;
in the end I loved reality
more than words,
and you.

Security announcement

This is a useless security announcement. Please do not do anything which could lead to useless security announcements. If you do anything, you may hear a useless security announcement which will sound like this: "This is a useless security announcement. Please do not do anything which could lead to a useless security announcement."

These announcements are made for your safety. Cameras are watching everything you do, for your safety. If being watched by unseen strangers doesn't make you feel safe, you're obviously up to something, which we knew already. We watched the thought cross your mind. That's the kind of thing that leads to useless security announcements, innit? Are you even listening? No? You can't even hear these announcements anymore, can you? Just like you don't notice the cameras. Hmm... Well, a placid citizen is a safe citizen. Safe for me.

Keep calm and and carry on.