sitting next to each other on a bench
on a public patch of grass
as the afternoon light hits their
walnut foreheads. They’re both
wearing sunglasses. Their mouths
have teeth the colour of factor 50
sun cream. I’m too far away
eating cheese sandwiches
and strawberries to hear
what they’re saying, but I imagine
a silver plaque dedicated to their laughter
being screwed to the back rest
in a few years.

© Carl Burkitt 2022