my morning poem,,,

POEM

By Simon Armitage

Frank O'Hara was open on the desk
but I went straight for the directory.
Nick was out, Joey was engaged, Jim was
just making coffee and why didn’t I

come over. I had Astrud Gilberto
singing “Bim Bom” on my Sony Walkman
and the sun was drying the damp slates on
the rooftops. I walked in without ringing

and he still wasn’t dressed or shaved when we
topped up the coffee with his old man’s Scotch
(it was only half ten but what the hell)
and took the newspapers into the porch.

Talking Heads were on the radio. I
was just about to mention the football
when he said “Look, will you help me clear her
wardrobe out?” I said “Sure Jim, anything.”