if only there were a LI PO or DU FU amongst them
on these beachside benches
but the winos are seated there
one with bloodied nose
from fighting (?)
with contempt for more well-healed passers-by
or so it seems...
they look to catch any eye
but with camera
am focussed on the pattern of the path
on a shadow or a cloud
or a boat in the bay maybe
with WHITE NOSE cliffs and beyond
as backdrop to the scene...
if they were poets
i would be more than happy
to trade words
write a RENGA
or laugh along at the
10,000 SYLLABLE HAIKU
beloved of OWEN DAVIS
who lives half-way down the coast
someone who like me
would nod towards PAUL BLACKBURN...
but no such luck
we need wine to loosen tongues and minds hereabouts
release a resolute grip
on perceived realities
and share that fire for life
......
later in the day
heading for home
someone gives me a thumbs-up
from the pavement
from across the street
did you get a good one
he says
i am mystified until
i recognise the bloodied nose...
and those
were the kindest words
i heard all day
if not from a poet
then maybe from
a BODHISATTVA in disguise.
* * *
bernard hemensley
golden GOJI hermitage
27th/july/2014
*
