Secret Agent Man

Collected poems

           ***

Soon


If you do not call me soon
I’ll have to play another tune
Sweet songs and poems I will not scribe,
Stubborn love won’t come by word nor bribe.

Poison gas and threats might do
For a secret agent man like you.

I could use fancy guns and smoke,
Serious matters require a joke.

Perhaps some nimble fishing line;
Snare you into being mine.

Lest you think my heart an open book
I’ll bait you with a rusty hook.

Please tell me if I’m getting through
Darling,
You’re killing me
But wait & see
Soon
I’ll kill you too.

A hungry predator must have her prey
Lucky you,
This bunny-boiler’s not quick to stray.

My darling sweet reluctant Hugh
Lock up your pets
Unless you fancy animal stew.

Oh my dearest dashing ambivalent one
You should have fed me when first you said.
Now I’m set to hunt you
Till your dead.

Bang.

Boychaser

I’m a boychaser
I’ll hunt you down.
Under sacred rock,
In deepest dark river,
Your love will be found.

Better get ready,
I’m narrowing in.
Still got the taste of you –
Warm cognac and venison,
Under my skin.

Some girls play at waiting,
They take it slow.
I’m a fast runner -
1, 2, 3:
Go!

Flaws


Well it’s true:
You snore
Have the emotional intelligence of a boar
Positively no sense of home décor
Work and work, then work some more
And still,
It’s you I love and can’t ignore.

Old Time Love


I sometimes like to be a dork
Want to get visited by the stork
Only drink wine from the cork

Screw-off caps just won’t do
I’m a modern girl
but listen you:

I want an old-time love,
Someone to show my pictures to.

Claddagh


I want to live in a pine forest on Mars
Hear the sound a thousand Spanish guitars
Wear a claddagh ring ‘round my finger
Turn the crown up -
Don’t let love linger.

Peacock Blue


Oh my darling salty licorice treat
Got a nasty toothache,
Long to kiss your feet.

Bring you Alpine breakfast in bed
Wash up the dishes,
Time for sleepy afternoon head.

Squeeze fresh lemons in your tap water.
Come on,
How many other girls would bother?

Sweeten your tea with Acacia honey.
Laugh at your jokes,
Make you feel good & funny.

Steam the milk nice and slow
Read your daily horoscope,
Fix you Portuguese coffee to go.

Trace the golden spray of freckles on your back
Hard against soft nipples -
Give you loving heart attack.

Oh the little things I would do
To turn your brown eyes
Peacock blue.

Unanswered Prayers


I’m feeding the birds and feeling for you
Elderflowers and berries still wet from the dew

Unanswered prayers on heavenly creatures,
Bitter fruits of longing keep my love true.

Liner Notes


Do you read the liner notes?
Listen to what people say
In waking life
The unspoken animal way.

Tiny gesture,
Squeeze of hand.
Your lips on my belly -

Sweetest good-bye.

Words
I can’t understand.

County Mayo 49

It’s warm December off Grosvenor Square
A dinner & dance
Late arrival, change of plan
Fancy meeting you there.

Irish music and cheers,
All those quicksilver feet
Moving too fast
Keeping time to the beat.

Found your heart on the floor
Losing my step
Stole the breath from my lungs,
Sent my head to the air.

You’re back in London;
Miles away, I’m still at your door.
Christmas alone –
Life’s cruel and unfair.

Taking a chance
Past lobby glances
And neighbours who stare.

Longest taxi ride
Pop songs and kisses down Abbey Road

Making all night romance under lavender bush.

Don’t stop now darling
It’s not a teenage love.
Trust me -
We’re almost there.

I remember
Waking up happy,
Safe in your robe.
Feeling at home with the past
Thinking this one could last.

New belonging in your arms and your bed
Golden initials that stick in my head.

Young at heart I may be
But inside I am old,
Wise as a tree.

You’re good and you’re strong,
Of this I am sure.
Got my mind’s eye turned on,
Know every word to a Neil Young song.


You’re honest and brave.
And yours is the face –
Rare beauty and intrigue,
I would to take to my grave.

I’ve longed and I’ve waited,
Tried to be true.
Now you’re here
At last,
Love’s coming through.

There’s a secret world inside your kitchen
I like sitting there with you.
Why not tea and late night laundry
For always, for two?

You’ve seen pyramids and polar bears
Exchanged lover’s rings
Held a father’s wake
Mended broken heartstrings.

Look up
My darling true one.
Maybe,
You’ll see me.

Spend some time
Take a walk
Live like Sundowners
Start your own family tree.

Another year on,
County Mayo 49
Wonder where we’ll be?

Small town
Big city lights
A northern log cabin
Simple cottage on the coast of Kerry.

No matter my love,
So long
As it’s you
With me.

Blue Suede Shoes


There’s blood in my shoe.
Raw blisters from walking Hyde Park all day,
Thinking of you.

It’s a shame.
They are blue suede and practically brand new.

Get out of my head
God damn fucking Hugh!

Surrender


Love is toil.
The knowing say:
‘Find a good one, make it last,
But be prepared to pay.’

With thought and time and
Solitude
Love can endure each day.

A constant labour of inside jokes
And outer space,
Two promises to stay.

It isn’t for the faint of heart,
Love’s not child’s play.
If I were less sure of this
I might simply walk away.

But truth be told
I’m getting old.
I’ve seen the sun, the moon, the stars.
Yours’ my darling is a heart of gold
And I want to live on Mars.

In honour and in danger
I’m keeping hanging on.

The work for me
Is to let you be
And hope the love’s not already gone.

Maybe someday
Your arms and smiles and kisses
Will be my cash and tender.

I’d gladly take you for my job.

Remember,
Only the brave surrender.