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Introduction
An Owner's Complaint
The Cub Scout Diary
Glasgow
Judith
Photo in St James' Park
Poem de terre
Pop and Me
The Price of Art in Luton
Relaxing with Taxidermy
Smothering Sunday
Culture Shock
John Hegley's Net Words Page Heading
 
English Gentleman Image

Photo in St. James Park

a hot spring day by the lake
and a young woman and man
probably tourists
possibly Spanish
who wanted a photo of themselves together
handed their camera to someone
almost definitely English
who certain fellow countrymen
might predictably describe
as a very drunken old dosser
but to them he was just a passer by
he accepted the camera
took a long time focusing
and steadying himself
but managed to take the picture
and received genuine gratitude
from the two
who had seen nothing deviant in his behaviour
and would remember him
as a friendly and helpful
English gentleman
if he hadn't fallen into the lake
with their camera

This poem is from Glad to Wear Glasses