Hundred and Eleven

'Yes but Terry we're supposed to be going to Paris on Friday'.
'I didn't know that'.
'Really? I thought/'
'Oh yeah it's George's birthday!'
'Is it?'
'Well St George's Day is the 23rd isn't it?'
'Oh my God I'd completely forgotten! How could I forget? I can't believe I forgot!'
'Well you're going to Paris so it doesn't look like you forgot'.
'Although we may not get there at this rate. It's ironic because I wanted to go on the Eurostar but they don't take dogs. Hey if we don't go, do you and Freddie want to come over for a birthday meal on Friday evening then?'
'Sure'.
'And if we do go to Paris then we'll have to do it some other time when we're back. Have you heard from Will?'
'Yeah. He stopped by with his new boyfriend the other day to collect some stuff'.
'No!'
'Yes'.
'He brought his new boyfriend with him?'
'Well he actually stayed outside in the car but...'.
'So what happened?'
'Nothing much. I locked Freddie in the cupboard because I was worried he'd take him - I said he was with you by the way - so we had a row. Then he took his stuff and left'.
'Gosh I'm sorry. That's awful'.
'Yeah....... Although he's turning me off him'.
'Really?'
'Yeah. I'm beginning to not like him anymore. Have you ever felt that way about any of your boyfriends?'
'No... not/'
'I mean he's behaving like such a jerk that it makes me wonder how I ever got seduced into liking him'.
'Because you fancied him'.
'Yeah it's fatal'.


Ash cloud, oh ash cloud
No ordinary shroud
Hanging in the blue
We can't see you, can't see you.
Blow away, oh drift away
No ordinary days
Float on by
So we can fly, we can fly.
'Very good George'.
I composed it yesterday during a moment of inspiration while I was smelling one of the first tulips of spring in the gardens in front of the church.
'It is a very fragrant poem George'.
Thank you Freddie. The second one is entitled 'Volcano'/
'Perhaps I can hear that some other time'.
Of course Freddie. You just let me know when. While I am talking to you now I am thinking you could perhaps write a poem called 'The Cupboard' or something about your experience this week.
'I could George. Although I would rather forget it really'.
I understand Freddie. I am always here if you suddenly feel the urge to express yourself through poetry and need some advice.
'You won't be here at the weekend if you're in Paris, George'.
That is true, except that we may not be going now. Talking of which I think it's time to go home. We've walked far enough down the canal for one day don't you think?'
'But it's a beautiful day George. Spring is here at last'.
Yes but Pips said we would check the BBC website again at lunchtime. Pips! PIPS! We have to check on the cloud. It's time to check on the cloud!