Melly At Keele Poem by Charlotte Peters Rock

Whisky on smoke
of the words between words
that the singer enjoys


Melly at Keele


Flooding yellow eyes pair on pair
across a landscape trapped in snow
looming pale as desert sand beneath the stars

Tapping sliding feet
Stilted legs stiffly urging muffled bodies
up slither-steps Reaching into warmth and light

Hurrying along between paintings and fruit
expensive and inedible

Not noticing Notice Boards
Leg propulsion rushes
towards the naked Icarus

His waxy feathered wings strapped carefully to arms
One heel raised above the boards before and aft
reading QUIET PLEASE CONCERT IN PROGRESS

Hands flourish cardboard as
sweeping left
the auditorium fills steadily with chatter
Coats on chairs
clutter spaces made for people

Lights fade and brighten on the stage
A double bass - taken by the neck - stands
where once it lay upon its side

Drums and cymbals occupied
Baby Grand Piano sparkles as its stool is taken
Trumpet chooses mutes and muffles

Filled with aging men - and one much younger -
the stage awaits its Star - its reason

Calling from wings to entertain
Dressed in stetson - ostentatious as it's dark
Bulky body swathed in council operative orange
the Star enters and entrances

29Jan1996 CPR