Bright too bright for Mr Mason
a man who has seen ghosts
a man who has come in
from a garden of sound and
cast his shadow on the wall
of this Church St café
Mr Mason who has kissed
tarnished brass with notes
of caffeine under his tongue
and crumbs of croissant
caught in his beard
Hot too hot for Mr Mason
a man who has studied cool and
who still has friends in the fire brigade
the fire brigade with their engines
gleaming like Alda’s lips red and bright
too bright for Mr Mason
G.N Deans
Photo Nick Victor
.