Keep the Cover Closed

Poetry

Keep the Cover Closed
or
Sage Advice

I

Do not be an open book.
Let them see the Index page,
and to those selected readers
a little more. The others?
Nothing more!

It is the prelude to downfall,
The open declaration,
Your every word hung upon,
Your every utterance
interpreted in expectation
of what is in the pot
and what killings for profits
thy can make
at the expense of your inheritance.

II

Inheritance?
Why yes.
Of course, we all inherit
and will not believe
in your impoverishment.

We see as man sees.
We adore the outward appearance.
We see the trappings,
the pin-striped besuited limousine,
Waterfront views,
Liners disembarking,
the waving crowds on Pier head;
the excitement of New York City
now once again just five days’ sailing,
that glorious transatlantic crossing
at last returned.

We’re sure you have millions!
And if not, then many thousand minimum.
For it stands to reason
you have no family,
no people to support.
All your money is your own
and so it must be there
for the taking.

All you people are the same!
You pretend to be penniless
when sitting on fortunes.

III

Do keep your distance.
Allow them the joy of the guessing game.
“Keep them guessing
that’s what I say...
Keep them guessing
and don’t let them
get the better of you.”[1]

A little piece of Elmfield advice s
sprinkled with some Windsor.[2]

IV

Freesias!
On a warm Summer’s Day
in the leafy glades of Pittville,
Clarence Square,
Montpellier gardens
and Cotswold Grange.

The yellow bush
outside the green-coloured door,
the box room above;
the winding staircase,
those last three steps
to Grandma’s room.

A house of thrift,
of having enough to live,
as we all should do,
in basic comfort
and with responsibility.

End

On a Whim Saturday 20 June 2010 Liverpool[3]

[1] Elmfield Road

[2] Windsor Street

[3] Jotting in the back of a book and borrowing a pen from the waitress.

Ian Bradley Marshall

29 September 2024
All Rights Reserved


LIVERPOOL

© 2024 Ian Bradley Marshall

The First Edition of this poem was published in Meanderings, An Anthology of Poetry and Prose (Hardback) in October 2011 by Spiderwize in my author name. IBM KTW