FAMILY PROCEDURE

1. THE JUDGE OPENS PROCEEDINGS


The purpose of the judiciary is not
to rule on moral matters, only legal
issues may be heard. We care for facts,
things we can touch or hear, sense,
no conjecture from the opposition.


2. THE FACTS


Mr. Harris was married to Mrs. Harris.
Mr. Harris had three children.
Mr. Harris had three boys; Michael, John, Luke.
Mr. Harris struck his wife in malice.
Mrs. Harris was covered in bruises.


3. CONJECTURE


Mrs. Harris was struck by Mr. Harris in malice.
Mrs. Harris bore sadly three boys; Michael, John, Luke.
Mrs. Harris kept an untidy house.
Mrs. Harris knew everyone in her street.
Mrs. Harris was covered in bruises.


4. SUMMING UP


The judge had heard enough and told the jury
to listen hard to calls for acquittal.
In particular, could evidence of bruises
be considered alongside speculation
of violence from three boys; Michael, John, Luke?


5. VERDICT


Not guilty. Not guilty. Not guilty.
Not guilty. Guilty. Not guilty.
Not guilty. Not guilty. Not guilty.
Not guilty. Guilty. Not guilty.
Mrs. Harris kept an untidy house.  

THE CHEMICAL FORMULA FOR SHADOWS

Take one physical light source — the sun
or a hundred-watt screwcap bulb —
and obstruct with carbon forms.


Remember one side must be all oxygen,
the other a vacuum. Nothing escapes
the force of the shadow. It draws in


organic matter and kitchen utensils the same.
Keep away from naked flame
and metals prone to oxidation.


Shadows are volatile substances
and fusion occurs where they cross —
the shadows grow heavy where they explode;


so heavy they stain where they fall.
It seems impossible to lift their shapes.
Remember one side must be all oxygen

FLOWERS ON LAMPOSTS

for JH


Talking to Marion on the corner of Chippinghouse
and Gamston, I remember the flowers
cable-tied to lamposts on the A57. Snakes pass
the wreckage of motorbikes. Helmets are scattered
down hillsides and bodies are bagged and counted.
Today I found out my mother had shadows.

FRIDAY NIGHTS IN A&E

Breaking into violence,
everyone expects themselves to be
x-rayed at the local infirmary.

Mother's stalk the corridors,
afraid their loved ones won't survive,
reading leaflets on birth control and
sexually transmitted diseases. Sobriety
heals most wounds
as children hide bruises from parents
like shadows cast by a tree
lost in snow.