None too ravenous, but on sore feet
and totally wired from tramping round
the shops, in direst need of a seat
I stumbled numbly up the street and found

a bistro lit, its front windows misted.
Reluctant as i listless was to spend
more cash, nonetheless my back and calves insisted:
go on in, you fool; we need time to mend!

After perusing the menu i thought,
well, there are delectables i could buy,
if only something wet for my parched throat,
which by that point was arid, and dust-dry.

And then to eat, a wrap, my appetite cried,
of roasted peppers, cubed halloumi
and gritty hummus too, and on the side
a soft, sweet brownie: that should do me,

with honeyed coffee to wash it down,
black as midnight's sultry witching hour;
yes, i thought, i may as well go to town
and treat myself. Just then, a passing shower

sealed the deal, so through the door i went
and cast my eye round for a vacant seat
to sit on. I felt full weary, spent
of energy, my exhaustion near-complete,

my spine's whole world one solid rod of ache.
But, as my lights lit on a table
halfway down the room, and i made to stake
my claim amid the subdued babble,

a looming shadow jumped my shoulder
and i turned, confronted by a waitress;
I sensed, as though the room grew colder,
and despite her smile, warm and solicitous

that this would not be my oasis, but
a fool's errand, or a busted flush
of a hand - another avenue shut.
Tables reserved, she sorried, there's been a rush

on, would i be willing to sit outside?
Our gazes swept the tables on the street,
tops pearled with rain. I plainly failed to hide
my disapproving look, and in defeat

said "no thanks" and left. My last resort,
wearily acknowledged with increasing pain,
depression and dismay, unwilling to abort
my plan for sustenance, was starkly plain:

on the hoof, a cheese-and-onion pie
from Manning's, and then the bus to Corn Town
and Leafy Glades, with its full supply
of comforts. Rawtenstall had let me down.

I stumbled to the station and caught the bus
back home. Aging, eh? This is what it does to us!

MP 14-18724