I packed my bags and moved to bristol
A city of hills -you are always either
on your way up
or on your way down.
Stroll down by the river
past the fancy restaurants
Glass and chrome brasseries
grill houses, pan-asian cuisine
their outdoor tables filled with dates
first dates, third dates, double dates.
Past the square-cum-skatepark
where young boys in overpriced tshirts
land kickflips and ollies and fall
and dust their knees and try again
Past the little fishing boats
that bob up and down
Their names painted proudly on their
sides
Kelly Maria, Hailey Ann, Elizabeth
Christened after Bristol's adored
wives, daughters
long lost loves.
The sky has darkened now
the hue of lilacs and pewter
And couples amble by, hand in hand
Stroll further, past the houseboats
and apartment blocks
Men and women, jogging side by side
The couple that work out together
work out just fine.
And stand and stare
at the painted ladies
Pastel lego blocks
perched on the hill
And ask yourself how many couples
have come together within those walls
What do they see when they look out
those coveted windows
at the man living alone
aboard the Sylvia?
