Wile Watching The Black And White Tv Poem by Terry Collett

Your old man
came into the lounge
where you were watching
black and white TV

and your mother was standing
talking to an uncle
it's the baker
your old man said

he wants his £50
what £50?
your mother asked
the £50 I owe him

well pay him
your mother said
I can't
I don't have it

you watched
the cowboy film
with half interest
you took a glance

at the debtor
well tell him
you'll pay him
next week

your mother said
I told him that
last week
your old man said

what did you want
to borrow £50
from the baker for?
your mother asked

her cheeks getting flushed
to buy my new suit
what new suit?
the one I'm having made

you noticed
your old man's
moustache flicker
and he stroked it

as he did
when cornered
your mother
breathed heavy

and you looked
at the uncle
ok
the uncle said

here's the £50
go pay him
what you owe
to get him off your back

but you better pay me back
or I'll bust your head
sure I will
your old man said

going out of the room
clutching the money
in his palm
your mother sighed

and the uncle
put away his wallet
into an inside pocket
and you saw that one

of the cowboys
on the black and white
TV screen
had been shot

and died
the other looked angry
and ugly
and mean.