for J.P.

I saw him again last week
although it was raining 
and it had been a long day
and tiredness and memory
make uncertain companions
so it could have been someone else
of similar age
and similar build
who carried themselves like him
upright and proud
with silver-grey hair
speeding into the distance
on his electric bicycle

His bright yellow tin digger
digs and digs
knocks down wooden blocks
shifts them to one side
grades a wide sand road
that sweeps around a hill
to somewhere new
with bigger blocks
and higher walls
and watchtowers and wire

in less than budgie smugglers
a sort of man-pouch
experimental thong

It takes Teutonic zeal
to frolic in so little
and to choose GOLD

And what is it they're guarding
these immaculate compadres?
a fragment of the true-cross?
the womenfolk and children?
when they shoot at you with blessings
it gets a man to wondering

sticks a little now and then
which causes consternation
among the righteous
who watch the distant smoke
and check their tickets

We tried the Church of Scotland
all rain and sleet
the Minister not even Scottish
and soon gave up
reverting to Scrabble
and Wrestling on the telly
laughing when we could
even on Sundays

on its silver stand
avocado and cream
Perspex visor
slightly foxed with heat
On Fridays 
she sits under it
to feel again
the rocket's kick
the weightlessness
the proximity of stars

*

The astronaut
in American-tan tights
and low-heeled patent shoes
with golden buckles
hair newly coiffed
trailing scents of Bluegrass
reminds me of that riddle
about the doctor, where
nothing makes sense because
you assume it's a man

The child in the water
could mean anything
until I add the crowd
and make them stand
shielding their eyes

They mean you no harm
not really
They just want you gone

You are on their land
and may be thieves
or worse

Besides which
they have long memories
and short fuses

While none of this is your fault
not exactly
I would run

Several betrayals
At least one death
Curses, promises
The moon
The meaning of the moon
Strangers, strange weather
Love or hate, you have to admit
God, or no God?
A fox and hens
A woman, women
Foreigners, Gypsies
How to build a wall straight
The price of land
What makes a good dog