Serious by James Fenton
Awake, alert,
Suddenly serious in love,
You’re a surprise.
I’ve known you long enough –
Now I can hardly meet your eyes.
It’s not that I’m
Embarrassed or ashamed.
You’ve changed the rules
The way I’d hoped they’d change
Before I thought: hopes are for fools.
Let me walk with you.
I’ve got the newspapers to fetch.
I think you know
I think you have the edge
But I feel cheerful even so.
That’s why I laughed.
That’s why I went and kicked that stone.
I’m serious!
That’s why I cartwheeled home.
This should mean something. Yes, it does.
*Excerpt from “Out of Danger” by James Fenton.
g8t poem. i’ll have to look this bloke up.