i tread delicately

I tread delicately

I tread delicately
Down the street
Cat-like, a lemur,
In a William Burroughs
novel.

Grasping air,
Not able to move
Grandiose, but a minnow…
Avoiding the snake pits.

Awake for three nights.
I finally slept.
Dreaming of a murderer
In an Old Folk’s Home
Or was it Butlins?
I don’t know
Yesterday in Broad Street
The bloke selling The Big Issue
Said, “Are you a Pop Star?”

Safe & sound now
In my magic room
I write this poem
Listening to Schoenberg.

My legs ache
It’s my mad
Marionette walk
Good Night.

Christopher Baily
31 October 2001
© Estate of Christopher Baily