I was sitting
in my favourite café
sipping an iced coke
when this dame

behind me
(in conversation
with some guy) said
and he already

owes me
a thousand pounds
in maintenance
for the kids

(the kids came
into view now
and then
as they played

around the tables
nearby)  
and he wanted them
as much as I

the guy she was with
pumped her questions
about the marriage
(maybe he was a friend

or perhaps
he was hoping
to get his leg over
somewhere

along the line
of time)
and he seldom visits
she said

and every child
needs a father
but they
rarely see him

and I say to him
you need to see
your children more
(the guy's voice

behind me is soft
and concerning)
children need a father
need that security

he said
I tried not to listen
just sipped my coke
looking at the people

nearby who I could see
but all the while
this dame's voice
opens up and continues

mind you
he never was
much of a lover
no?

the guy said
well not
100% committed
she said

there was always
something else
going on his head
you know what I mean?

she said
mm-mm
the guy said
and I imagined

he nodded his head
(maybe thinking
I'd be a much better
lover than he)

I allowed
a cube of ice
to enter my mouth
cold it rattled

against my teeth
how long is
he going to leave it?
she said

the back payments
are already a thousand
and I have the kids
to feed and clothe

and the mortgage to pay
and Daddy
will only pay so much
she said

the guy fed her
more questions
I didn't quite catch
the words

(quiet speaker
unlike her
who spoke loud)
she laughed

and I sipped
more coke
trying to listen in
on the words

of the joke
jazz was being played
from the in house radio
some Miles Davis

I think
early stuff
I drained the remains
of my coke

and got up
put on my cap
and grabbed my stick
and as I turned

I casually gave
the dame a look
(a kind of fill in
for my picture book)

a blonde
thin
young
and the guy

plump
older
balding
in a tee-shirt

and jeans
as I walked off
with my stick
and a head full

of information
I gave them
one last look
back at their table

I couldn't see them
as bed fellow
least not
in my book.

a chorus sang
within their hearts
innately they knew
affection would be theirs
forevermore
golden happiness
bells chiming
as the flowers
of spring  
did flourish
love ever heralding
for two joyful souls
tied together in angelic love
ethereal whispers
spoke
splendidly
of love's
infinite binding
yoke
felicitous
in lasting love

Your youngest sister
wears your blue
and white coat now,
my son; it brings her
some comfort
since your
sudden death.

She zips it up close,
to keep her warm,
thinking you
are still there inside,
to keep her safe.

I remember
you wearing
that white
and blue coat,
on your way
to work or back,
or out for the day
in all climes.

They were
the good days,
good times.

You use to zip it up
close to your chin
to keep the cold out,
the warmth in;
hands in the pockets,
elbows back,
like some large bird
about to take off
on a long flight.

You have taken off now;
set your soul's keel
to the open sea
of eternity.

I sometimes dream
of you at night,
see you as you were
before the stain
of death approached;
your smile spreading,
your blue eyes bright.