‘A Lesson Unlearnt’
There is some stupid part of me
that still expects
a cigarette
to be a cool blue draught
curling past teeth and tongue
so after a few pints
I sometimes scrounge one
and surprise myself again
with the nauseating tang of them.
‘House’
Above the hall of dancing horses
windows rattle in their frames
and bishops wager the resources
of the Church on parlour games.
The rats that scurry in the chapel
gnaw the walls to make their nests;
as Eve is reaching for the apple
babies squirm behind her breasts.