I cut the grass today - 14th July, 2016

I, like so many, have been deeply affected by the horrific attack in #‎Nice‬ - the tragic loss of life - the shock and terror suffered by those people must have been awful. I myself am preparing to go on holiday today it seemed so trivial and in appropriate and this poem occurred to me as I did so. It is an imagined poem but it is offered out of respect for the dead and injured.

in memoriam

I cut the grass today

in anticipation of our holiday.

The stems bent before the blades.

I do not weep for grass -

there is satisfaction in a job

complete,

pleasure

in that moment of return

when looking out

from the kitchen window,

as the cold tap runs to drinkable

and the fridge shudders to life again,

to see the recovered lawn

once more needing

to be cut.

So I cut the grass today,

and as I do

you

text from France to say

that this is the best holiday

and that this evening you will go to see

the firework display -

Quatorze Juillet.

How nice, I say

and I picture you

in your holiday best -

cool sandals, shorts,

flowered shirt open over string vest -

as you promenade

des anglais

the English way

to take the air

and view the sea.

I zig and zag the grass

with the mower

buzzing through summer weeds

clattering unsuspecting stones

and insects.

You,

in my mind's eye

your child in arms

your lover's hand in yours

I watch

grass bending

before the blades.