Graham Seal
The Runner
(Mankind has not benefited from its drudges’ - T.E. Lawrence)
When the going got tough, I screwed up my face
and began limping. ‘My ankle,’ I lied.
So the umpires - one had a stern face like Justice,
and one looked sorrowful, like Christ - conferred;
and the upshot was, they allowed me a runner.
So all through a high summer’s day I was free
just to put bat on ball; so I did:
wonderful off-drives, glances to leg,
sweet crack of leather on bat, rippling applause
(no one bothering about the sweating guy,
plodding up and down alongside).
I made a century and was in the papers.
I read them with my foot up, in case
some fool barged in and asked me about the ankle.
Shame? Hell, no, I’m an artist, and as for living,
let our servants do that.
Still, something’s not right. Just lately
I’ve taken to locking the door
and wearing dark glasses when I go out.
It’s those umpires who worry me.
I guess I could stand to meet Justice - I know
he can be crafty, like me. But what of the other,
the one with the sorrowful face, who is sometimes umpire,
and sometimes my runner?
Page(s) 63
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