Outside my bookshop
I have spent the afternoon dreamily reading
‘Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance’
I am still thinking of Buddhist camshafts
When the shoplifter who has done over the children’s section
And has several copies of Dr. Zeus under each arm
Brandishes a knife at me
Except that it’s a Swiss Army penknife
And he can’t decide which blade to get out
He’s stuck in indecision between the saw
Which is almost impossible to get out without removing your fingers
And the thing for cleaning horses’ hooves which nobody ever uses
And I’m incapable of being frightened
Because I’ve started to think
Here in the sunshine on the white stone steps
Amongst the city glitter
And the passing trade
About whether if I only ever use one blade
There’s any point to all the rest
*Emma Morgan lives in Guernsey, not because she is a tax exile, but because she comes from there. She has a blog www.booglarise.blogspot.com where she puts the too many thoughts she has in her head.
