i can make love here if i want
early, deserted, shimmering haze of tesco
cosmetics will make my body clean again
(in the desert moses found a spring
water of life
will sustain those who don’t
know it)
those who shouldn’t be laughing at the morning sun.
(like a long lost friend i challenged it
to see who could stay up the longest
for i am icarus with nikes
my eyes growing ever wider at the world
we are brothers we are brothers
now my soul’s been sold
and watch me if you dare
i can’t hide
no shadows in the desert air
just me and beauty dancing there
i shall go to soho,
to berkeley,
to tangier
anywhere
i shall go home.
and then somewhere along tottenham court road
as the rains clean the pavements
as the colours come back
and the buildings restack
in the aching, early, shimmering morning
my eyes stop seeing, my feet stop bleeding
my arms collapse in prayer
and the people gingerly avoid my stare
finally, the world lays me down
i can make love here, as anywhere.