Dancing with a Bonzo
Will you do me the honour? says a man with long hair,
mottled amber and silver, pink-rimmed glasses round
as free-range eggcups, wispy beard like a question mark
on a face pale as oats, and what’s this he’s wearing?
A Chinese dressing gown. Yellowy, satiny, swirls of embroidery
sweep my arm as he propels me into the dance.
Who is he, a dragon breathing fire at his back?
Why! It’s Vivian Stanshall, the original Urban Spaceman.
Now, Vivian, I’ve had time to reflect and wish to say, if ever
we meet among the stars, I’ll hold you, you old Dog,
and whisper Doo Dah, the honour was mine for you were more
fabulous than a stack of Ming dynasty pots, finely cracked.
Published by the small press and webzines, nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Joan Byrne has read her work at the Conway Hall, pubs and literary festivals. She performs with the Rye Poets, a trio of poets of which she is one. Website: http://joanbyrne.co.uk Twitter:@stjoanofpeckham