Cracked bell
Broken bell
Cracked bell
Broken bell
Prescription lens shades
Double Elvis
Double Elvis
Cancers, cancers we three
another stolen time offence
everyone starring in their own social media cast reality show
an illusionary audience
trying even the stars
trying even the stars above patience
pretty cop
with purple tip dyed hair
and mink pink eye shadow
cuffs the homeless
forlorn and hopeless
for obstructing
the market pedestrian flow
when changing
the cardboard sheets
of their street beds
punters queuing
for artisan breads
look on numb
buskers strum
a fitting dirge
as if on prearranged cue
as if on prearranged cue
me and you
don’t know where it all got started
don’t know when it all went wrong
Cracked bell
Broken bell
Cracked bell
Broken bell
Prescription lens shades
Double Elvis
Double Elvis
Cancers, cancers we three
young lovers in the alleyway
entwined in tears
unaware of wandering eyes
staring
tourists taking selfies with mannequins
in designer shop windows
modelling dresses
they can only fantasise about
wearing
struggling to fold
hinged crucifixion crosses
street evangelists
swearing
all the while
the oncoming
Northern Line train
tearing
tearing
down the tracks
Cracked bell
Broken bell
Cracked bell
Broken bell
Prescription lens shades
Double Elvis
Double Elvis
Cancers, cancers we three
the purple reign staining his collarless
white shirt
cigarette butts
filled to the brim of his cupped hands
head down
walking
back and forth, back and forth
past fire hydrants no longer red
disgruntled bus passengers
waiting, waiting in the heat
back and forth
back and forth
back and forth
funereal
as though commanded
to collect
abandoned last breaths
funereal
as though commanded
to collect
miniature like deaths
Cracked bell
Broken bell
Cracked bell
Broken bell
Prescription lens shades
Prescription lens shades
Vision so clear
It’s like being on drugs
Double Elvis
Double Elvis
Double Elvis
Double Elvis
Cancers, cancers we three
James Dick