Teen Cusp: 5

David Howard

Perished, a bicycle tyre beside the hedge –
where the cat was found, its talent for flattery

useless. Like Pasternak, I tread the prospect of pine
needles. The underworld comes through mud

darker than the laughter of yet another hero
who forgot he would be forgotten…

When I was a child who got to the bottom of things
the stars, taken as given, disappeared.

There was a 'wide nearness' that threw me
back on my self, as if

a public holiday was declared in my honour
but I was forced to do chores

until morning, when everyone slept in.