The wood panneling and my ears
Reverberate with dullness
Dull men with dull words
Dull ladies as well

I, their understudy, listen
Too familiar phrases
Traffic management, zoning
Policy sixty-nine

While I watch her - the junior
With smouldering hard eyes
And sensuous red lips
Which she runs a biro across.


Written after Highland Council Planning Committee, 29th November 2016.