Mark Heathcote Poems

God meets a piano-player
Foot tapping the day away
God doesn't know what to say
He just listens all-day
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Every day there are battles
to be won and lost.
"There are heroes and villains,
and casualties that count the hidden cost."
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In among all the ruin, there is life.
God, he must work at the corner catalogue shop.
The one before 'Afterlife' next to 'Hope and Despair'
With 'Liberty Bell' ringing, counter ringing in both ears
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I remember with a child's mind stealing
An egg, hoping through prayers I wouldn't be
Found out. When at teatime I felt deeply
Ashamed — didn't look at mother biting
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Does a glow-worm wander the moon?
Circle it and spin its small cocoon,
yes, parts look almost moth-eaten,
like a broken heart, one-side dark.
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The Empire State Building holds our breath
Like a heroin needle pointed at a blue vein
It's a phallic symbol; we all know its name.
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Rivers wash over me meditatively.
Thoughts feel amplified, purified.
It's like taking a cough medicine
For brain phlegm all dewy-eyed.
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Day and night the worlds at play,
Sometimes you have wonder. Will it—
"With you and I" survive another day,
Sods law it'll be even more counterfeit:
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Docking next to a melting iceberg,
…Colder …still
The center cores of her Irish heart.
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A fish has entered our minds
it mouths the words - you must swim
life is a great flood - you must swim
swim for your lives.
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