Three Poems

1.

Shadow

Your crime wasn’t that you threatened me with a knife,
although you did.

Your crime wasn’t that you stole my purse,
although you did.

Your crime
was that you looked like my dad

and that is the reason why I chased you -
along the London street
shouting

fire!
 
Fire!

FIRE !

2.

Transference

Like a baby bird
bleary-eyed and hungry
I sit cross legged
on the warm
Indian rug
and come undone
at the throat

3.

Cinema fidget

What is wrong with you?
this is not the time to be nervous.
This is precious
safety -
no one will intrude
on this hour.

There will come a time to be fraught,
your finger and thumb having reason to skiff and jump,
your elbow nudging mine,
every second.

A serious time -
preparing for the death
of someone you love,
or losing your job,
your home,
a kidney.

I would put my arm around you,
hold you close,
love you.
But not
now,
this is not that time.
Stop it,
please.

I’ll have to leave you.

Claire Aster

If you have any thoughts on these poems, Claire Aster would be pleased to hear them.