The blokes are kicking a ball to one another
on their local beach calling each other
bro. The muscles on their naked chests are
from a different planet. I walk past them,
my brain bursting with conversation
and facts about the invention of the FA Cup
slowly enough in case the ball finds its way
to my feet and I need to return it. It doesn’t.
I am a spectator in the sand, bursting.

© Carl Burkitt 2023