FRUIT LIFE

for J M–G

I was an ugli fruit. I was a miracle berry.
I was a banana. I became a watermelon.
If the gooseberries are bitching, I become
a grape, a satsuma or an orange, a pear.

When my mother asks why, I reply plum
and kumquat. A punnet of strawberries,
blackberries bursting from thorns.
These are my fruit lies, my pineapples

on the window sill, shouldered by Lemon
Zest Morning Fresh and scouring pads.
I am a mango, a kiwi, a papaya, tomatoes
and you will not juice me until I am ripe. 



This poem was commissioned for charity. You too can commission here
http://www.justgiving.com/Gavin-Hudson1

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.  

4 LITTLE BENS

for BC


The telephone had been telling lies
and made you glum.
I wish Alexander Graham Bell's father had been crushed by a train.
I wish the patent office had shredded the application.
The telephone has been telling lies
and made you glum.


*


Love poems
aren't always about the hottest torsos and the biggest cocks
aren't always about love
are definitely not 
about heartache.


*


I wanted to remember you
like an egg. FRIED!
I wanted to cheer you up
like an egg. SCRAMBLED!
I wanted to surprise you
like an egg. CUSTARD!


*


Nothing happy ever happens
to the unhappy.
Just as frogs never get settled in rain. 
I will love you like spawn
loves the lake and mosquitos.
This is one sticky Spring!