Doreen Pearce
The Man from Aix
We ate our supper under an awning
in the soft French evening air.
A swirl of swifts passed overhead
Their high whistles cut cleanly through
the hubbub of cutlery and chatter.
He was standing by the wall, waiting,
Every inch an Englishman,
His upper lip held stiff by a moustache,
tall, erect, a large bland face,
someone you're sure you know
but can't think why.
His bearing said ex–military,
good mannered, dignified.
He checked his watch from time to time
expecting a rendez–vous,
his wife, perhaps, caught up in shopping
or someone young enough to be his daughter.
Whoever, she was late, and he was waiting.
At eight thirty precisely he opened a small case,
assembled a flute, switched on a backing tape, started to play,
short simple tunes requiring little breath.
Then he passed amongst us with a bowl
‘Thank you sir, thank you madam’.
We looked down at our plates,
ashamed an elderly Englishman should come to this.
in the soft French evening air.
A swirl of swifts passed overhead
Their high whistles cut cleanly through
the hubbub of cutlery and chatter.
He was standing by the wall, waiting,
Every inch an Englishman,
His upper lip held stiff by a moustache,
tall, erect, a large bland face,
someone you're sure you know
but can't think why.
His bearing said ex–military,
good mannered, dignified.
He checked his watch from time to time
expecting a rendez–vous,
his wife, perhaps, caught up in shopping
or someone young enough to be his daughter.
Whoever, she was late, and he was waiting.
At eight thirty precisely he opened a small case,
assembled a flute, switched on a backing tape, started to play,
short simple tunes requiring little breath.
Then he passed amongst us with a bowl
‘Thank you sir, thank you madam’.
We looked down at our plates,
ashamed an elderly Englishman should come to this.
Page(s) 54
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