a pick me up
to drop at will the cutlary and beef
the long haul home
to the safe-house in a vase
where each glass eye
stares through buttered fingers
dares another wish to decompose
to listen in
to master art and craft
not knowing what comes next
a chicken or a spoon
or a dogs ear selling raindrops
there behind a canopy
of saturated stars
salami in a bucket
playing hide-and-seek
peek-a-boo
now all the kings and horses
circle round the ice-box
sucking thumbs for Briar Rose
who\'s heart belts out a Valentine
for the sulking mouths
of plastic ducks with elephants and skin
safe in the arms
of artexed walls
padded and secure;