Not Doing Too Well (Poetry)
19th May 2024
‘How are you doing?’
‘Oh, you know — okay’
(Except that’s a lie)
‘Good. You’re looking well’
(That’s not true, either)
‘And the family —
they doing all right?’
‘Well, we muddle through —
spot of bother with
our son recently —
‘the police involved ...’
‘Oh, teenagers, eh!’
(They both shake their head)
‘What was it then — drugs?’
‘No, caught shoplifting —
‘black bra and panties
he likes to dress up ...’
‘Must’ve been a shock!’
‘Well, the wife blames me’
‘Huh! Typical that!’
‘She’s left me again’
‘Again?’ ‘Yep — third time’
(Pause) ‘Well, best be off ...
cheerio — take care’
‘Yeah. See you around’
‘Oh, you know — okay’
(Except that’s a lie)
‘Good. You’re looking well’
(That’s not true, either)
‘And the family —
they doing all right?’
‘Well, we muddle through —
spot of bother with
our son recently —
‘the police involved ...’
‘Oh, teenagers, eh!’
(They both shake their head)
‘What was it then — drugs?’
‘No, caught shoplifting —
‘black bra and panties
he likes to dress up ...’
‘Must’ve been a shock!’
‘Well, the wife blames me’
‘Huh! Typical that!’
‘She’s left me again’
‘Again?’ ‘Yep — third time’
(Pause) ‘Well, best be off ...
cheerio — take care’
‘Yeah. See you around’