PICTURE THIS
Chris Major
You looked no more
than 16 or 17,
and initially we
thought you’d pissed yourself,
were just another drunk
staggering to ask for change,
as a damp patch
on your jeans spread.
But the outstretched
hand was begging help,
as you suddenly fell,
dropped 6 foot 12 years
to mumble for “Mum”.
Touch ‘n’ go the paramedics said;
all other veins collapsed
you’d stuck you’re groin,
dug a little too deep.
We watched them
stretcher your dead body,
as that siren’s whirrrrrr
swept all thoughts
all comfortable plans
to minds periphery,
where they occasionally,
still,
frame the incident................