Wheelwright from Spirit Level by TJ Eckleberg

Wheelwright

I adjust my glasses
I take a new line
I set a timer so I finish on time

From the window
I See her coming through the park
red shirt, silver shoes
dark hair in a bob

The early summer heat
falls across my skin like jasmine musk
We’re walking through the park
and the palm trees sway and fuss

I try to think like a wheelwright
talking to the duke
I explain to myself again
what fine words and clever books won’t do
what fine words and clever books can’t do

The spring rains are falling
through the open door
the sunset sky is red and amber
she is shaking her head and laughing at me
with no umbrella

I’m happy now
but I won’t always be
I wake up at 3am
relieved to find her next to me
sleeping peacefully

The winter winds are blowing
the snow comes through the open window
the iron clouds are grim
but tonight
the closed door holds the heat in

The autumn leaves drift down
from the black branches
of the trees in the park
it’s almost evening
but there’s still time to hold your hand
and make it home before dark
and make it home before dark

Ten minutes to the station
five minutes to the park
church steeple in the sunrise
red sky at sunset

don’t forget
don’t forget

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