READING 


I spent all afternoon reading
In the rattan chair
With the arm rests that pull out.
No good for arms
But the fatter part of an open book
Angles there neatly
When you pause
To look out of the window.
I tempted the cat
With my warm corduroy lap
But he ignored me.
Sure it will never end
Our feud over her
Until one of us is dead
And it's him
I have my money on.
Whenever I went to the kitchen
To fill up with coffee
He sprang an eye
But he never moved else.
Well fuck him.
I sleep with her behind locked doors
And he can kiss my arse.
The November light began to fade.
In the skeleton trees
I could see birds arranging themselves
And I put away my book
The room in that glooming shadow
Artificial light spoils.
I stepped out
To "the stilly air of eventide"
And heard echoic rumbling
Familiar sound
Of the incoming Concorde
And there it was
Like a flat swan flying
In and out of cloud.
The telephone rang just then
And as I went back in
I could see his tail twitching
Brushing against the glass
Of my tropical aquarium.
It must be so uncomfortable for him
Lying on the hard surface
But it has the best view in the room.
I said we'd had a good day
Reading together
And yes I would meet her
At the Chantecler
And yes I had remembered to feed him.
Sure I said
He's looking at me now.