Closing My Eyes

Closing my eyes
an aeroplane dances to the fore
a backdrop breeze
pastes it there
while splayed out voices
surround me
in compulsive chat.

I hear the sun
talking things up
bullying people into smiles
they never owned.
A pit bull, panting for air
serrates the atmosphere.
There are no solos here,
except the mad lad
who grins alone.
Drinking up their ecstasy
by the pint
I Sauté my emotions in beer
like a holiday maker
beached and calm.

About me, groups in cliché
plod out memories
and problems,
and louder problems
as each cider sinks,
and they are talked-out
assassinated,
then removed
to that bottom office draw
by the biscuit tin.

Removing my glasses now
the world creeps closer, realer,
even the blurs look touchable,
till at last I’m slipping along
not quite centre stage
just off
piste.

Jerry Pike