Stafford Street, SE15

Stafford Street, SE15
I’ve stared so long
Its etched in my head
With eyes open or closed
The view is the same

The shape of the pelmet
A pleasing curve
The pampas grass wavering in the wind
The way the black bin bags covering the roof
Glitter in the dazzling sun

The patchy tarmac as though two roads have merged
And matching red stained diamonds on the door of no.62
The mess of wires that reach through the window
And stretch to the cracks which could give any minute

All of this I’ll remember forever

The peace of the people sweating slowly in the sun
Shattered by the great white van
No markings, no cares
That screeches and brakes round the turn at speed

The corner below the sign an oasis of green calm
A lone bright white butterfly flits in, then moves on
A plane goes over
The trance ends
It’s two and I’m gone