THE CARELESSNESS OF THE
SHORT DISTANCE JOGGER

lockdown
a butterfly
leads the way into town

old woman
in the middle of the road
arms outstretched

"Isn't great to be
able to walk in the middle
with no cars at all!"

she speaks too soon
a jogger pants by
jostles her

he all dark shades
plugged into
a different reality

his music leaks out
the eye of the tiger
following him

he spins her 'round
her cane goes flying
she topples...totters

now in these Covid times
joggers are the danger
I sidestep one...sidestep another

the old lady
equilibrium recovered
shouts after him

in her best
Dr. John Cooper Clarke
"Health fanatics they make me sick!"

I laugh I
didn't think she
had it in her

we make our way
up the hill together
promising we will

trip
the next
****** ******