He probably had a good voice
before he hit the grog.
he knows all the words but
now they’re slurred
running into each other
lubricated by cheap plonk.
Sitting on the footbridge at Hornsby
guitar out of tune
manky hair and dirty clothes
abusing travellers
who won’t toss cash into his guitar case
he sings Summertime off key
as punishment.
He’s angry with everyone
scared he may be sober
when night comes
scared he will remember
how he got here…
Just a couple of bucks for a bottle?
Point Piper:
Freshly showered
in AC controlled atmosphere
she selects with care
her gown…
Elegant
understated
basic black
Redfern:
He stands before a window
bathed in sweat
trying to catch a breeze
his nakedness
elegant
simple
basic black.
His accent cosmopolitan with hints of Johannesburg
He welcomed me to inspect his cunning wares
This lover of the cutlers craft
Rotund and handsome with a curling beard and flashing eye
He spoke of travel and the world he knew
His accent cosmopolitan with hints of Johannesburg
Inlaid handles gripped the shanks of fine honed steel
Displayed on velvet for maximum effect by he
This lover of the cutlers craft
His spaniel at his feet, he laughed and joked an hour away
(Long after my selection had been made)
His accent cosmopolitan with hints of Johannesburg
The package wrapped and paid for with my credit card
I hesitated at the door, loathe now to leave
This lover of the cutlers craft
How welcome he had made me feel to his small store
His farewell words were spoken with regret
His accent cosmopolitan with hints of Johannesburg
This lover of the cutlers craft.