exclusive_reclusive
Of the options available
late, early or punctual
I am usually late
Toward the port
I stride through
Old Marseille
I see him there
in familiar dark grey
suit made from linen
Sat outside his favourite café
Le Coq Bleu
a small coffee cup and saucer
sits on the table
newspaper is open
leg crossed over other
is it childish to write about make-believe?
I am writing about vampires here
you didn’t find it funny when I raised
the subject of vampirism
and I’m still not exactly sure why
what nerve I touched there
the next time it came up
by chance
with your man present
you both exchanged a knowing glance
one that silently communicated something
what still I’m not sure
I realise the famous vampire didn’t come from around here
where you live
Some said Martin be wild
with his unruly red hair
his deep, penetrative glare
To be fair
I would agree
Martin possessed
that certain degree
of flair
which would not be there
without the unruly red hair
without the penetrative glare
And, maybe you think
he had not one single care
in this life
He certainly did not easily scare
as far as I be aware
It was something that hadn’t occurred to me before.
But I found the answer after a moment’s thought.
The uncanny likeness, the affection and more,
the cot, all the gifts and baby clothes he’d bought.
My Dad, the lodger, the new baby, and me.
I quite literally turned blue with rage!
At breakfast I said, ‘Dad, do you really think I can’t see?’
Mentally, I calculated their difference in age.
Brinkinfield 