Leicester Square

Having missed my chance to see the new ballet
because the magic had left the Hole In The Wall,
I wandered through still fuming traffic
under empty winter trees
full of starlings, sleeping.

I queued for "Highlander",
bumped by the lovers behind
consumed by each other.
An old American man passed through
with many young people dressed for the night:
couples, pairs, trios,
but no singles, like me.

A placard comes
saying protein causes lust
so eat less eggs, cheese, beef.
Underneath,
the voice of a satired vicar
speaks from an unloved man
dressed in stagnation.

A drunk frightened him away
with a comment everyone else heard
and enjoyed.

I came out of the cinema into a film,
hearing my footsteps echo around the auditorium,
avoiding the extras walking slowly around me,
seeing the special effects
of the blue wail
of the flashing siren
edging past.

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