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Hazell Hills

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Hazell Hills’ Workshop Cannon Poets November 2011

Toad-in-the-Hole

Half an hour later he rings again, to query
the hermeneutics of a word in the translation of a will
he’s working on. Then asks the colour of her nipples:
‘pink or brown?’ – slips the request in
like an afterthought she’s pretty sure it isn’t.
She answers his first question. Ignores the second.
He pauses briefly, then goes on to tell her
of the saddle of boar – with truffle, braised shallots
and artichoke hearts – he plans to serve up
for his gourmet friends next day;
the Tarte Tatin and Gateau de Figues Seches;
Jarlsburg, Smoked Nordic Brie, Old Appalachian Goat
and Stinking Bishop; the wines he’s chosen
to accompany each course...
                          She takes a deep breath,
glances at the clock. Curtails the call.
In the next hour her children will be back from school.
She pours the batter over the part-cooked sausages;
peels the potatoes; opens the baked beans tin.
Half-smiling, she sighs, then shakes her head.
How much more ludicrous could it get?

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