An octagonal lazy susan

on the kitchen table

an onyx cheese board

a polished stone tablet

befitting a curved cheese-knife

and crackers and Brie

Milk jug and a lidded sugar bowl

hospital stainless steel urns

decorate it now,

empty,

awaiting a table setter

Howard Fox

13 iii 2023

Tom girl Belles
mind Malone men
and a stray Kildare wan too
ready themn
steady them
foster them
with a breakfast plate.

Fast they are
Tom girl Belles
on the Malone
Fast
With a breakfast plate
and a stray tomato.

Howard Fox
5 iii 2023

A stretch of writers arms

unbidden

disturbed

Victualler’s steel

hanging on the kitchen wall:

A sound of metal filing

of sieves against ladels.

Alarm, enough to

move a canine

to a fit of

yawns and whimpers

and whys

and licks and paws

and company …