On Palace Walls

I walk the empty streets

Cold, dark, desolate without you.

Our favourite haunts deserted.

The old crowd now

Badger bald, plump,

Seldom venture outside

Their suburban refuge.

Our Palace dance hall switched to bingo

Graffiti ridden finally abandoned.

For a moment it seemed

The mirrored ball still spins bright

Bouncing off its rainbows.

But it was only a passing ambulance

Carrying some poor soul into the night.

Remember how once, spot prized,

You caught a dancing rainbow

In your hair, that night we

Floated among the clouds.

A chill wind brings me back.

You are gone I walk the street alone while

Paint peals from the Palace walls.

Ken Setter

Sydney

October 2003 ©

The Answering Machine

Oh hi there it’s me

Message left at

What is it

Ah yes 10.22am

Tuesday the tenth

Just called to let you know

I’m still here if you need me

Any time

You know that

Just call

Hi it’s me again

Message left Wednesday

Twelve midday and raining

I feel so wet

Let me know how you are

Me again

Thursday 9.01am

You didn’t return my call

Does that mean you finding

You’re own way          without me

Message left at

Friday 7.35am

Look         if don’t need me any more

Say so

Just return my calls

Just say       and I’ll move on

There are others who would value

The things I do for poets

I’m your muse and you should treat me better

Just phone me       will you

It’s Saturday already

And you still haven’t called

Ok so you don’t need me

But wait ‘till you are soaking wet and

Waiting for a bus that’s running late

Go write a poem by yourself then

You ungrateful smart arse

Ken Setter

Sydney

2011 ©