2 NOVEMBER ON THE BRINK

SAN FRANCISCO’S BURIED IN MUD AND ROCK  

NOT THE WEST COAST CITY 

BUT A VILLAGE IN THE PHILIPPINES

OVERWHELMED BY THE WORST STORM THIS YEAR

WHY THE PIANO IN A BARCELONA SQUARE? 

WHY’S THE PIANIST CONTINUING TO PLAY?  

AS POLICE CHASE DOWN ANTI-LOCKDOWN PROTESTORS 

SKITTERING AROUND HIM LIKE DROPLETS IN A SNEEZE     

IN ROTTERDAM A METRO TRAIN

HAS BEEN SAVED BY THE WHALE   

CRASHING THROUGH STATION BUFFERS

WOULD HAVE NOSE-DIVED ONTO THE GROUND BELOW

IF NOT FOR THE PLASTIC WHALE’S TAIL THAT PREEMPTED IT   

NOW POISED IN MID-AIR

LIKE A BALLERINA HELD ALOFT BY HER DANCE PARTNER  

AND HERE WE ARE IN ENGLAND 

ARE WE TO BE UPHELD BY A HIGHER POWER? 

MAYBE WE’RE LOOKING

BUT NOT LOOKING  

AT A SICKENING DROP

WISHING WE CAN ALL HOLD ON 
FOR ANOTHER ROUND      
YOURS TRULY    
THE NEWS POET