The girl on the balcony
And the terror of the rain
Gone are the days when I could
Make paper hats and planes
My uniform is neatly packed away
In a box under the bed
I have photographs
But I left them on the train
Military music and you appear
At the top of the stairs
Fastening my coat
On Folkestone beach
Persued ridiculously by dogs
And beach balls
The papers I’m sure I read
Only yesterday at breakfast
Have gone yellow at the bottom
Of the drawers
And the kite in the attic
Is still waiting unrepaired
On the way to the park
Over the years
Passing the church
I’ve watched a hundred weddings
And scripted too many daydreams
But remained alone
This is for you
Because I left the chocolates
On the train as well.
.
Malcolm Paul
Picture Nick Victor
.