Brittany Ferry Poem by Jean Bernard Parr

I'm OK with this engine, this
trembling giant beneath
I'm OK with this circle of sea
round as a cats' saucer of milk
cute as baby kiss curls

you know, don't you, how to
summon a deeper growl, I've seen
them claws, that furious mane
but for now

there are children moiling
for want of a plaything

a balloon twisted into sausage shapes
squeals in piglet capture rapture
teased away by big brother
and his piano-wide maniac laugh

and so begins the plaintive plainsong
and so, on the duty free deck
performs pirouetting victim-sister,
pull-cords her liturgy of mewling

in tongues, a voice announces
a lunchtime quiz, the promise of fun

A mum, a dad, iPhone raddled
and automaton stiff, they struggle
with the realism of glassy stairs
and all around, the sea, the hissing sea