Multiplastic

Traffic snarls, BMW drivers undertake Fingers are crossed for a space On car park D An Americano and a Latte At tables that need cleaning I search for a chair without arms You fill the questionnaire And the magnolia blooms magnificent Beside the red velvet pansies I go for a walk, or sit and write Eating overpriced crisps While you lie in the MRI machine We wait among the living and dying For an electronic hoot, your name on a screen To sit in consultation cubicles We discuss still being overweight And you tell me again how blood pressure numbers work Because I can never remember And I know the thing you carry Will eat you from the inside In time But the doctor says Not today   April 2025

Why can I only cry in the dark Where even I can’t see the marks Left behind on my eyes and face? And I can wash away every trace When morning comes and I face the day Again I’ve never been a macho guy Saying big boys don’t cry Such rules make no sense to me I’ll explore my femininity My flamboyant sexuality Openly I’ll stand on a stage and dig into my soul Give the audience my heart to hold Trusting that they’ll treat it with care When I open out my life and bear The scrutiny with the applause Gladly But maybe this is just a shield The suit of armour I wear to field The danger, to deflect the blows Protect the bruises before they show And bloom in green and purple Noticeable Even I can’t see the marks If I only ever cry in the dark   March 2025