A Very English Idyll

Bank Holiday weekend,
sunny day, very English, very rare,
ready to be enjoyed,

plants planted, patio scrubbed,
pots watered, wine chilled,
recliners reclining.

The other side of the fence
she is getting her washing in.

We hear the pegs fall
one by one

into her peg-bucket, each

with a nonchalant loudness
that sounds deliberate.

She snaps
the rotary washing-line shut

with an insouciant loudness
that sounds deliberate.

She slides the floral cover
over the rotary washing-line
and zips it up

with a petulant loudness
that sounds deliberate.

Now she is hoovering,
from top to bottom

with an overbearing loudness
that sounds deliberate.

She will hoover again tomorrow,
from top to bottom
so he won’t need to shout.

When he shouts,
he shouts

with a f**k-you loudness
that’s definitely deliberate.

Back in our house,

we creep around gingerly,

a few more drops of Baby Bio

on our blooming resentment.

                !

 

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Amusing, and for anyone who has endured noisy neighbors, all too familiar. I can see why the Brits have strict gun control.

[Gerald Parker]

Thanks, John. Just a bit of exaggeration.