Ice

Arctic chill lashes out
Rips through her clothing
Makes her cough
She struggles forward
Fingers outstretched
And manages to
Turn the air con off
©cih11, 25.02.11

Posed

All smiles
The bride
Gazes ahead.
Unaware
Of her bridegroom's expression

He stands
Silently.
A scream in
His mind.
He exudes quiet desperation
©cih11, 22.02.11

Commuter Love

I stand here, every morning
Crowded platform, London train

Trying to catch sight of you
A glimpse to ease my brain

I know we can't be lovers
Our relationship would fail

For men who fall in love with trains
Might just end up in jail
©cih11, 15.02.11

Social Skills

I dabble with trivialities
And giggle
And smile
And flirt
And hope this carapace of charm
Is enough to hide my hurt
©cih11, 15.02.11

Roses

Roses are red
Roses are pink
Here is some doggerel
To make you all think

Roses are red
Violets are blue
There's a run on the florists
And you're stuck in the queue

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I'd not be cynical
But I've seen all of you

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Are you stalking me
Or am I stalking you?

Roses are red
Roses are cream
I'm too cynical now
To believe love's sweet dream

Roses are red
But they'll blacken and die
Thanks for the card
But you're not the right guy

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Yet a bit of my heart
Is still dreaming of you
©cih11, 14th February 2011

Date (for Valentine's Day)

She's sitting there, waiting
Impatient, alone
Watching each new arrival
But he still doesn't come

Attraction was mutual
Eyes met, crowded room
But he hasn't turned up
And it's getting dark soon

The door is flung open
Her heart beats faster
Now they're off for a walk
The dog and her master
©cih11, 15.10, Friday 11th February 2011

Time Waits for No (Wo)Man

The old maid sat there in the corner
Wishing her history away
Halycon days, of which she'd had plenty
Now steeped in the reek of decay
She'd thought that she'd be immortal
That her beauty would always be there
But now it was her great age and wrinkles
That caused all the young men to stare
So she mused on lost opportunities
As she sat and longed to be dead
But that's not how it works in the real world -
She married an old man instead
©cih11, 23:32, 6th February 2011

Be Mine - at What Price?

The shops ooze red and guilt
For Valentine's Day is here
A special day to show
the loved one the feelings you share
But once the money's spent -
Chocolates eaten, flowers dead
The ones on whom all that money's been spent on
Are Marks & Spencers, Interflora and Clintons
©cih11, 23:14, 04.02.11

Unrequited

No "Brief Encounter", this
No great thwarted romance
Half a spark, quickly quenched
Was all that it was
Not even a stolen kiss
©cih11, 23:03, 04.02.11

Lovelorn

Gazing at you through a window
Object of my frustrated desire
The two of you ignore me -
My blood pressure climbs higher

My heart whispers
'Smash the glass
Attract their attention
What have you to lose?'

My brain argues back
'They're just a pair of shoes'
©cih11, 14:42, 04.02.11

Jousting Tournament

In real life Prince Charmings
Don't come along
Without some unwanted baggage -
Ex wife
Recent girlfriend
Divorce settlement
A child from an earlier marriage

But there's a strong possibility
Of happy ever after

Because you have to remember -
You aren't perfect either
©cih11, 23:22, 03.02.11