OCCASIONALLY

   

I never knew the reason why
The evening and the dew
Never saw a dragon fly
Till I’d seen a few

It’s a wonder that I ever have
The smarts to lace my shoe
When suddenly I’m thinking
Of always calling you

Occasionally I do
Mulligatawny Stew
Occasionally I do
How about you.

Sometimes you find you’re whistling
A tune that you abhor
Sometimes it’s like the midnight knock
Fondling at your door

Sometimes it’s like the key of life
Is jingling on your ring
Sometimes it’s all just sweet sweet peas
Germinating

Occasionally I view
A sky that’s tending blue
Occasionally I view
The view

And there’s the thought
That strikes me hard
I lost the game
But won the card
‘Twas on a whim
‘Twas to a wit
I don’t know why
I got bit

Occasionally I do
Autumnal hues accrue
Occasionally I do
Winter too.

Occasionally I do
Mulligatawny Stew
Occasionally I do
Rhubarb too.


-Larry Buttrose

PIMLICO

I remember leaving your flat in Pimlico,

Stepping out into the silent square;

It was autumn, leaves in the gutter,

A soft pink sun on the blank faces

Of the tall Georgian row.

The fenced park was locked

To those who lacked the key,

So I walked around it,

Dawdling off to Victoria.

The past is not another country

But another person who is you no more,

Evidenced by the slip of time

In which I never saw you again.

- Larry Buttrose