family day
open sky where few clouds run
hot concrete grandstand bleached by the sun
rusting goalposts, food tables pack
grass rough and ready, patchwork track
groups of stalls; blue, green, white
triangular flags in weary flight
teachers’ children tug of war
or sack race, running, what a bore
watching, noting, from beneath the tree
it really’s not my cup of tea
but running children with ice cream
cry, run, and play, cheer parent’s team
booming, microphone voice
being here is not my choice
the birds in trees penetrating protesting
when noisy humans disturb their nesting
non-stop cheering, shouting, talking,
tracksuits, sport shirts, running, walking
concrete mixers rumble by
only me in long sleeves and tie
get your coupon, take some food
smile politely, mustn’t seem rude
Haryati, heap with books up high
staggers near the drain, with worried look going by
then tells me there is a meeting at two fifteen
now what good news could that mean
the vice chancellor talks for an hour or more
then answers questions from the floor
the meeting ends, now time to go
to take the bus where sea winds blow
through waving trees, close by the beach
of soft fine sand, orange, white, peach
now can relax, enjoy the day
as boredom quickly fades away
with the green hill back-cloth and sun coming to night
one time ending, another begins bright
