I have a new broom
to sweep clean
the detritus of my life.
I’ll collect it all in neat little piles
labelled:
Lost Direction.
Broken Promises.
Divided Loyalties.
Shattered Dreams.
And being part of that bold new breed
of eco-warriors
I will, of course, recycle it
recycle it all
back into my life again.
Peter Yates is a playwright who has his own Theatre Company Random Cactus. He works with various charities and is a Theatre Critic at London Theatre 1.
They found his crown
under a thorn bush.
He could not get a horse
for love nor kingdom.
He completely failed
as an undercover parking attendant.
But he made damn sure
Damn sure
that he was disinterred
in timely fashion
to witness Leicester City
win the league.
Peter Yates is a playwright who has his own Theatre Company Random Cactus. He works with various charities and is a Theatre Critic at London Theatre 1.
Now they have
Quick Snack Spots
on the lake
in the neat Home Counties park
Bread-free areas for waterfowl –
grain only on the menu
[which can be purchased
in handy bags nearby]
A kind of Duck Macdonalds.
Mothers with buggies and toddlers
Pass them by
much preferring to distribute
half loaves of Asda wholegrain
or thick sliced white – its great for toasting –
as if dispensing nourishment to the needy.
The ducks, likewise, were voting
with their webbed feet
preferring to pig out on couch potato fodder
rather than another slimmers fad.
So it was empty when I passed,
this eco-friendly duck-food parlour.
Just a lone coot,
balancing on the notice,
holding a placard reading:
Don’t let them exploit us.
Peter Yates is a playwright who has his own Theatre Company Random Cactus. He works with various charities and is a Theatre Critic at London Theatre 1.
Peter Yates is a playwright who has his own Theatre Company Random Cactus. He works with various charities and is a Theatre Critic at London Theatre 1.
The sun revives,
sea refreshes;
and the sand eventually realises
I’m on holiday.
Old energy saps away
replaced by new
with its unguarded optimism.
I take two cigarettes from an imaginary pack.
I light them both together
and offer one to you 3000 miles away.
You take it
inhale
and glance quizzically in my direction.
I didn’t know you smoked you seem to say,
sitting at your office desk.
Peter Yates is a playwright who has his own Theatre Company Random Cactus. He works with various charities and is a Theatre Critic at London Theatre 1.
