POETRY: IT’S JUST THE BENDS FROM OUR CONVERSATION EARLIER BY PAUL TRISTRAM

“It’s Ok, I’ll be fine, stop mothering me.

Go to the shops like you wanted to.

I’m just going to lay here awhile

and float, switch off for a bit.

I know it’s the floor behind the settee

but it’s comforting and soothing

it’s like ‘Furniture Heroin’

Don’t be so silly, I won’t suffocate

and if the house catches fire

there are exit holes at each end.

Thank you for your concern

but you are starting to make things worse

and I don’t have a paper bag to breathe into.

No, I’m not starting anything,

I’m not even in the room…properly, anymore?

I know how much you are trying, I’m trying too,

I just need half hour to myself right now.

It’s not selfish at all but it is important.

Ok, I’ll watch out for spiders,

yes, get me 12 cans of Lynx (yellow cans)

and 20 Regal King Size (blue ones)

Alright, I promise to be out when you get back,

can you just leave the bag of beer and fags

outside the garden shed door?

I’m going to try to invent something

this afternoon…from balsa wood and excuses!”

Written by Paul Tristram

Available to buy via Lulu