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Colin Stewart Jones

Shoo

A gull's circular cries waken me. Must piss - first a smoke. I reach for my tobacco and roll a cigarette propped on one elbow. Three deep drags are enough to charge my nicotine levels. I draw it down to my stained fingers anyway. For a moment I peruse my stubble then look out a clean shirt. Yesterday's socks will do. Only a twenty-minute walk to the clinic. Plenty of time.

After my second cuppa, I open the blinds and shoo away the pigeons. A diagonal of sunlight catches the dust I've dislodged from the silk orchids on my window sill. Time yet. I put the radio on and catch a Queen song - I sing along. All too soon the song finishes and the DJ starts pissing me of with his banter. Time to go.

Checking that I've got everything, I roll a smoke for the road and lock up my flat just before 10 past 10. In between thoughts of an old love the Queen song is still playing. "Don't stop me now." At the main entrance to the tenement I realise I've forgotten my phone. I go back. "Don't stop me." Damn it! I'm late. "Don't stop me now." I phone and give some excuse for cancelling my first Cognitive Behavioural Therapy session. "Don't stop mel" I put the kettle on and roll another smoke. "Cause I'm having a good time."

window seat
a crane fly drags
its belly