Drop-in

“Entre-deux-morts”, not “Entre-Deux-Mers” -
mates of mine, the pair of them joking about the wine;
were they sneering at my lousy attic life?
Mates who’d called on me after all these years,
boasting of how they were knuckling through.

Recoiled in crab-retreat, flinching at every jibe,
I loaded the acid sting of my last defence
in case they came up with an overwhelming question;
and I delved deep for cynic words to fence it off,
to staunch the welling pain and check the quivering chin….

Suddenly, they were all smiling and bonhomie,

said they’d be back when I felt more like talking.

I could keep my bold riposte for another time.

                                   

   

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

You have to love those old friends who flaunt their success. Especially when they finally leave. Indeed, keep that riposte ready and cocked. You may need it.

[Gerald Parker]

Thanks, John. It's fiction but such a character needs your love.