twelve day visit
a feeling of exile
eternity and loss
amidst exhilaration
and consumption
Bukowski at Borders
low rise jeans on high streets
corns on small toes
ballerina at the South Bank
with mechanised wings
petting in the tube
gymnasts punching the air
while the music plays
Stella Artois at the river’s bank
friendly overtures at Young’s
in the background looms large
the St. Paul’s cathedral
darts and philosophy
at The Three Horseshoes
crusty pizza at the New Moon
a haven for beer guzzling suits
idle conversation at Strada
plush Italian café in the City
frothy Cappuccino at Nero
after a classic Pirandello at Wyndham’s
Old wives’ tales with fruity Australian wine
at The Old Bull and Bush
Dickens’ favourite public house
Cosmopolitan cocktail and Thai green curry
at The Warwick served by a French blonde
with lilac streaked hair and a lyrical accent
Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle
a Queen’s fantasy come true
“are you looking for business?” at Southport
a street queen’s plea for work
breathing love alienation
loneliness and romance
London moves
at a frenetic pace
Virgin
take me home
( London 6 July 2003, New Delhi 13 July 2003
)
