Unclogged – David Smith

Unclogged


he had done well
seat on the board
twin-set private secretary
brass plate on the door

yet when he snouted 
soggy leaves from the drain
rattled the grate
with his stick

when you saw the faint
smile of satisfaction 
hearing the gurgle
of relief

then absent-mindedly
peel
tentacles of ivy
from that ash

you realised as a kid
he would always 
have a pen-knife
a piece of string
in his pocket

a catapult
dangling 


David Smith