SEAGULLS

Going on a tram to Lattes*,
the tram rails winding this and that,
but first, Montpellier was seen.
Tall buildings, cream and white,
and the sight of seagulls
near bright sea.

Best day was to be had in Lattes,
and ice-cream from bow-fronted shop.
Eight euros then to pay...
Tall buildings, monochrome,
and the sight of seagulls 
near the sea.

The seagulls followed the tram back,
the tram rails winding this and that,
and then Montpellier re-seen.
Shops were shutting for the day
in tall buildings cream and white,
before the seagulls went away. 


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* pronounced Lat

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LIFTING TRAM RAILS IN 1940

Lifting tram rails in 1940,
he was aware of the Louvre...
was aware of a cameraman.
Now we see a black and white world,
where leaves on trees have shed their green,
and the sky is a wishy-washy grey...

We see the tram rails piled untidily,
and a bicycle boy on right
fearing he'll be late for school.
We see his and rail man's Paris of 1940
with years ahead of war in Europe,
and now bereft of trams.

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I COUNT ROSES

The heart that bleeds is not my heart
for my heart will never bleed.
The song I sing is my only song.
The others are not mine.

The mountain here is what I climb
and it uses all resources,
and if I had a heart that bled,
I would not count the roses.

The roses are all fresh for you,
and you are all I wanted.
Oh god, my heart will never bleed.
It lives for ever, shan't it?

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