those tiles
over the pub urinal
i saw them crack
under the pressureof my supporting hand
i remember crumbling dust
ceramic fragments
dusting my white knuckles
~
i remember zipping up
i remember stepping back
&
the tiles werent tiles
they were lino
but stamped like tiles
no cracks there
no knuckle dust
& no urinal either
was a broom cupboard
~
i remember coming out the cupboard
to barstaffs sarcastic applause
&
i remember my composure
was rock solid
like a drunk-numb dover cliff
& i lit a cigarette
& i went to the pool table
& to all my drinks there
but there was no pool table
was a crammed refurb gastro slot
~
i remember a waiter
he told to take my smoke outside
& i did
blue cue chalk
on my
pissy smoking fingers
easter island composure
weathering the london dark
photo Night Dark courtesy of the Dagenham Archives