Baritone Voice Of Bbc Poem by Bernard Henrie

Voices at a small
New Year's party. Guests speaking
throughout the house. Lukewarm
middle age settles in.

A Teacher's and branch water
on the desk, photo stories
in magazines and a few books.

The cherry-red space heater,
riddled air and dry exoneration;
loosened tie, open housecoat.

The great tub, a long hot soak
like non-swimmers in the shallow
end of a pool.

The BBC broadcast of coastal
weather and shipping news;
calm along Dover, starless over
the British edge of North Sea.