I’d like to own a shop
that’s name doesn’t give away what it does.
People will walk past us on the street
and think maybe we’re a solicitors.
They will see our sign and wonder
if we can help them buy a house
or sell them tiles or mend their fences.
They will be surprised that we’re not
a bathroom showroom or a kitchen showroom
or a motorbike or car or tractor showroom.
They won’t be able to buy dead meat here.
We will not fix their plumbing or electrics.
We will sit on the high street
waiting for people with guts to say hello.

© Carl Burkitt 2023