Paul Demuth
Invigilation
I’m invigilating a maths exam
with a colleague
in the Art Room.
The windows behind me are open
to introduce a breeze,
which means the broody cooing in the trees
is clearly audible.
Beside me, on the wall,
there is a reproduction of
Child With A Dove.
Facing me across the rows
of shoulders and prostrated backs,
my colleague mimes the aiming of a gun.
I plead for clemency
by pointing at the palm-cupped dove,
hoping it will soften her heart,
but as she mimes the blast
and blows away the smoke
a silence tumbles through the air.
Page(s) 40
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