The compass needle led me astray along avenues
mapped with hedged borders and webbed ponds. Where
dragon fly’s pirouetted.

I passed carpets of lego like brick tightening
at dogged opinion sung from cloistered spots.
Stepping and cursing in the breeze.

Clap-happy lips cast down scoundrels, wasters and
palsied old step takers. They replaced a less provisional
crew who fastened private discontents.

Once a brazenness touched their souls, but later distilled regrets,
bequeathing a permanent emptiness. Still re-invented sins,
wrap cling film tight to freshen prejudice.

Habits and rituals arrest swollen, frozen flesh.
This pale battalion watched waiting to cut the quick
not sharing the gaze.

A spoil of black smoke arose from yet another barbeque,
gardens of peripheral vision, not aware of narrow lives
or shelved dreams in the offy.

Tomorrow they will give again self-effacing smiles,
hiding a toasted confidence.