The good people of Snape Wood
And Hempshill Vale and Rise Park
And Top Valley are probably sleeping
Soundly in their beds, unaware that
I am lying awake in my bed, deciding
How best to tell them how their
Bus services will change come November.

It is also unlikely that they know
That, while I do this, I am thinking
About the first girl I've known in years
Whose presence actually makes me blush.

While I am made to feel old by
The thought that what I scrawl
In this book might actually make
A difference to the lives of thousands
Of Nottingham residents, I also feel
Like I'm fourteen again, crazy about
Someone I don't really know who will
Never feel similarly towards me.

Although I know this, I still feel
The way I feel, and I still have
Conversations with her about
All manner of odd things in my head.

So I'll just have to hide away
And bury my blushing face in
All these communication strategies
Until the ink runs from the tears
Soaking the paper, if they ever arrive.

Perhaps they won't get the chance,
And I'll finally accept how
Pathetic I'm being and how hopeless
This all is, and return to my twenties
Where I can live in the real world
And even slightly change it for
The unsuspecting people of Bulwell.

04/01/2003

Posted on 04/01/2003
Copyright © 2024 Richard Vince