COPE, Wendy

Bloody Men

Bloody men are like bloody buses —

You wait for about a year

And as soon as one approaches your stop

Two or three appear.

You look at them flashing their indicators,

Offering you a ride.

You’re trying to read the destinations,

You haven’t much time to decide.

If you make a mistake, there is no turning back.

Jump off, and you’ll stand there and gaze.

While the cars and the taxis and the lorries go by

And the minutes, the hours, the days.

After the Lunch

On Waterloo Bridge, where we said our goodbyes,

The weather conditions bring tears to my eyes.

I wipe them away with a black woolly glove,

And try not to notice I’ve fallen in love.

On Waterloo Bridge I am trying to think:

This is nothing. You’re high on the charm and the drink.

But the jukebox inside me is playing a song

That says something different. And when was it wrong?

On Waterloo Bridge with the wind in my hair,

I am tempted to skip. You’re a fool. I don’t care.

The head does its best but the heart is the boss —

I admit it before I am halfway across.

1st Date

– She

I said I liked classical music.

It wasn’t exactly a lie.

I hoped he would get the impression

That my brow was acceptably high.

I said I liked classical music.

I mentioned Vivaldi and Bach.

And he asked me along to this concert.

Here we are, sitting in the half-dark.

I was thrilled to be asked to the concert.

I couldn't decide what to wear.

I hope I look tastefully sexy.

I've done what I can with my hair.

Yes, I'm thrilled to be here at this concert.

I couldn’t care less what they play

But I’m trying my hardest to listen

So I'll have something clever to say.

When I glance at his face it’s a picture

Of rapt concentration. I see

He is totally into this music

And quite undistracted by me.

- He

She said she liked classical music.

I implied I was keen on it too.

Though I don’t often go to a concert,

It wasn’t entirely untrue.

I looked for a suitable concert

And here we are, on our first date.

The traffic was dreadful this evening

And I arrived ten minutes late.

So we haven’t had much time for talking

And I’m a bit nervous. I see

She is totally lost in the music

And quite undistracted by me.

In that dress she is very attractive –

The neckline can’t fail to intrigue.

I mustn’t appear too besotted.

Perhaps she is out of my league.

Where are we? I glance at the programme

But I’ve put my glasses away.

I’d better start paying attention

Or else I’ll have nothing to say.