Instructions
Select your glue with care
as most are designed for smooth
or porous surfaces – not both
brush clear of debris
then dab with alcohol
rehearse the join – and breathe
the contours
where the break occurred
must match
press firmly – tentatively rotate
till both sides fit as they did before
with a silent click
and breathe – now practise again
for you will not have a second
second chance
should you misjudge
the union will be
not as good as new
so breathe
unscrew the cap
imagine every step ahead
then pierce the seal with a pin
apply the swelling glue
and breathe
wipe clean the tip – replace the cap
and set aside the tube and pin
you should not need them again
can you feel your breathing?
spread the adhesive evenly
with an unspent match
position both parts so you’ll be
almost sure to grasp them right
can you feel your breathing now?
next you must wait
until it is almost
dry to the touch
so sit, and notice your breath’s caress
assess the glue with a fingertip
and test again
and now
while breathing quietly out
suspend your disbelief
take both in your hands – rotate
attempt the angles again – again
and breathe
in one swift movement press and hold
until your fingertips turn white
and breathe
a final check – the angle’s right?
wipe swollen beads from the join
the hairline disappears
set down the delicate whole
and breathe
and wait
and learn
while breathing
if the join will take.
Phil Vernon has lived in Kent since 2004, after twenty years living in various countries in Africa. He started writing poetry again in 2012 after a twenty-year break. Whereas in the past his poems were mostly written in free verse, he now embraces more formal forms, and finds his words and ideas thus surprise him more often. His poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Other Poetry, Ink Sweat & Tears, Acumen, Anima, Elbow Room, Gold Dust, Pennine Platform, Crannóg, Poetry Salzburg Review, Out of Place and The Poetry Shed, and he has been shortlisted and commended in several poetry competitions. Some of his poems are on his website: https://philvernon.net/category/poetry/