Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

Poetry Library Southbank Centre - The Poetry Library housing the Arts Council Collection at Southbank Centre

« Previous item
Contents of this issue
Next item »

Rip Bulkeley

print this page

Stairs

at the foot of the stairs
the left leg wonkier than usual
must be turning autumn -

goes up quickly, no hand rail no favours
takes only seconds to wonder
about ten years of rugby
the ground like iron in Australia at times
a dummy sold to the great Richard Sharp
on Big Field, playing towards the lane
the car written off in Uganda
walked away but the knee took a knock
such impressive equipment they had
or a bike trapped in Adelaide tram-lines
and falling off that scooter close by
while marshalling a rag-day procession
hasn't dreamt about searching for her
in those streets for some years now
the spectacular crash once at school
caused by running too fast on wet cobbles
when still in short trousers of course
the tree where he first fell in love with the world
a mistake long past saving
so much volley-ball too
all those dives in the dust of Khartoum
or a Headington gym floor -

the leg has travelled down harm's way
to get to this landing,
turn left, walk along to the study,
and write "at the foot of the stairs"

 

Page(s) 44

Back to top