I knew a man who had a face
like he was forever walking against the wind,
like he was always holding dog poo bags.
He had the face of someone perpetually stuck
in the middle of two sneezes.
The face of someone just waiting
for the Frisbee to hit the back of his head.
The kind of face you wish you chopped down
to read its rings when you had the chance.

© Carl Burkitt 2020

It’s hard not to think about
how many hands touch
the tongs and spoons
at an all you can eat buffet.
Parties of germs reserving
a space on plastic handles.
Fingerprints left behind on ladles,
longing for a familiar set of unique
swirls to come and join them.

© Carl Burkitt 2020

When things get difficult
I think about the DJ who once said
Sorry, that brings us to the end of time.
I think about the headline
People Are Absolutely Disgusted
By Gordon Ramsey’s Gravy.
I think about the man I saw
eating a lasagne with a spoon.
I think about mispronounced sayings,
small cheek bones and
the first slice of lemon drizzle cake.

© Carl Burkitt 2020

I’ve never been good at wearing watches.
Despite being right-handed, I struggle
to wrap a strap around my left wrist.
So if I do wear a watch,
I wear it on my right wrist
and that never feels comfortable
when using a pen or throwing stuff.
False imprisonment is my biggest fear
and never knowing the correct time makes me
hope I never witness a crime.

© Carl Burkitt 2020