Stop Bath from Graduation Night by Laurie Shaw

I
LATE MARCH RAIN ON THE LAWN IN THE SQUARE
MARKET STALL PERUSERS SHELTER IN THE DOORWAYS
AND THE BACKSTAIRS
SCHOOL IS OUT, A STAMPEDE OF KIDS SCRAMBLE TO THE CAR PARK
. . . DESCEND ON THE TOWN
WHERE SAND BAGS LINE THE DOORWAYS
OF WOOL MARKETS AND CAFES AND BARS
KATIE’S GOT A GREAT UMBRELLA,
I’M JUST IN MY TATTY JACKET
WE EVADE THE POOLS OF DRAINAGE
INCHING UP THE BRICKWORK
BY 8 P.M. TONIGHT THERE WILL BE DANGER SIGNS
FLOATING ON FOUR FEET OF FLOODWATER
“WELL I’LL SEE YOU TOMORROW, KATIE
AND I WON’T FORGET THAT TAPE YOU WANTED TO BORROW”
NO, I DON’T THINK THERE’LL BE ANY DANCING TONIGHT
NO CHESTS TOUCHING IN THE PINK TWILIGHT
I’M JUST GONNA GO HOME AND EAT MY TEA ON MY KNEES
AND PLEASE NOBODY FALL IN LOVE WHILE I’M FALLING ASLEEP


II
RADIO KERRY SAYS THE SCHOOL IS SHUT
SO FRIDAY ROLLS INTO THE WEEKEND WHERE I’M STUCK
WITHOUT A LIFT DOWN THE HILL
WITH FLU - LIKE SYMPTOMS ACCUMULATING
DAY TIME PRESENTERS DICTATE VER BATUM THEIR AUTO-CUES
AS I SNOOZE ON THE SOFA
IT’S NOT A FEVER DREAM IT’S JUST GMTV
I CRUNCH ON SOOTHERS IN NO MOOD FOR A PARTY
BUT PETER CALLS OF COURSE SAYING I SHOULD COME DOWN
THEY’RE CAMPING BY THE OLD FOOTBALL GROUND
AND OH WHAT A NIGHT THAT COULD BE!
IN THE INTOXICATED MOOD AND THE NIGHT BIRD SOUNDS
I COULD DRAW THAT SEAN AWAY FROM SAFFI


THE LIGHT FADES ON THE MOUNTAIN
AND I DREAM ABOUT KATIE’S SHAPE
AND HER HAIR IS A PROM NIGHT BEEHIVE
AND HER DRESS IS ACETATE
AND I TRY AND ASK HER OUT
BUT SHE’S SAYING IT’S TOO LATE
I SAY I THINK IT’S ONLY LUST
SHE SAYS “WELL, YOU SHOULD JUST MASTURBATE”
THAT’S GOOD ADVICE
THEN I WAKE UP TO A ROOM ON FIRE
ICEING UP MY HEAD I NEED TO RECONNECT CROSSED WIRES
I’VE WITNESSED HER IN NAKEDNESS,
WHAT DID I DO THAT FOR?
WE MADE IT REALLY HARD TO KNOW
WHAT LOVE HAS GOT IN STORE
WELL ALL THE STORES ARE FLOODED SO I GUESS NOBODY KNOWS
BE BACK TO NORMAL MONDAY
I THINK I JUST NEED TO EAT MORE

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