There’s a plastic duck in my bath
with a digital clock on its back.
When the water is too hot
the screen screams red in anger.
When the water is too cold
it stays yellow and beep beeps caution.
When the water is ready to let you in
it gives a thumbs up green.
When I stand in a supermarket queue
or one of the six lifts at work
or wake up with a face that isn’t mine
I wish my spine would change colour.

© Carl Burkitt 2020