Cleaner Eyes.

A follow up to 'Early Street' and you have Lorry to thank for it!

They don't see me,

I am not really here

to them.

They walk round me,

walk past me,

and all too often walk

through me,

scattering the detritus

they discarded yesterday

as I sweep it

from these mean streets.

I watch them,

my eyes averted,

so as not to engage them

in my world.

My world

where things that really matter,

matter.

No 'Footsie 100',

no KPIs,

no sales targets.

No mortgage up to my

neck.

No wife,

no kids.

I clear the litter,

I have a pint with Jack,

go home to my small council flat,

read the daily rag,

put the kettle on,

watch mind numbing daytime television,

read Chaucer or Pynchon or Nehisi Coates

or Gyasi or Chernow.

Then I go out to the pub

and meet the lads for a good few halves

before making my way home,

sitting and writing poetry

as my micro meal warms,

washed down with ale.

I get to bed by ten as I'm up at four

to start again.

So why should I worry?

 

15/02/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

I can empathise with this completely. There but for the grace and all that. A well written and quite melancholoy piece that I liked reading.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Ken. Melancholic to a degree but accepting and content in that acceptance me thinks.

[andrew mitchell]

Sometimes change brings anxiety to some. I like routine, I feel relaxed. This write reminded me of Syd Barrett a founding member of Pink Floyd who became invisible, a recluse who never left his home I am told. Nicely written John.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I guess Andrew many of us feel invisible at times. When you retire there is an invisibility cloak thrown around your shoulders as others struggle to judge you and your worth. Many thanks.

[Chris Shaw]

A simple, uncomplicated life, mundane to some and full of routine. It's his life and he appears to enjoy it and has his priorities in the right place. There is much to be said for simplicity. I enjoyed this second write S much as the first Thank you John.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Right on message Chris. While the rest of us chase the dream some are contented. many thank yous.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

relationships can really get complicated...life can get that way...the speaker here has uncomplicated...
no ties, just a routine...he is comfortable with...might be alone but doesn't really sound lonely.
he watches...
nice companion piece to "Easy Street"---

i look forward to the third installment.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Sometimes the simplicity of such a life with so little responsibility is worth more than we know as we toil and get high blood pressure and stress etc. Thanks Jacob.