Jaunty Poem by Martina Evans

Light strikes the clock!
I've waited five hours
for you to come
crashing in,
apologising,
kissing my feet,
and jaunty.
Jaunty! I'll give you
jaunty - I've waited
while my mouth dried up -
a wrinkled raisin of fear -
saw the crash
put you in the ambulance
attended the funeral
bawled at the grave
comforted the orphan
collected the insurance -
all these long
clock ticking hours
till you came in,
apologising,
kissing my feet
and jaunty.