Utilitarianism

I retain the tendency
to confuse value pluralism
with anthropological attitudes
and this makes
even my newest fiancée
grimace her orgasm

sceptical about objective morality
as it might apply

when we are together and talk
with our teeth

lengthways nude in bed with light
slatted between American blinds
from moody films where words

and spent passion provide a context
for when inevitably we double cross
while our cigarette smoke entwines

as a series of cancerous afterthoughts
about fate, romantic love, and desire

and how your commitment
might be measured out
from a Victorian water jug

that is already
more ornament than use

Requiem

Becoming ill in summer

My father would inevitably
Need his nasal cream:

Naseptin. Later

Allopurinol 300mg
Morphine sulphate (liquid) 5ml
Diclovol 75mg
Voltarol 75mg
Morphine Sulphare 30mg
Catopric 25mg
Prepulsid 10mg
Bumentanide 1mg
Cyclizine 50mg
Praxilene 100mg
Oramorph Solution 5mg

When I counted them

7 suits altogether
Striped, fine check and plain
A dark blue blazer with an RAF badge
A beautiful wool coat
Miscellaneous trousers
That might make you think he golfed
Which he didn’t. Shirts
Made from unnatural fabrics

Terylene
Polyester. Bri-nylon.
A jersey knit.
Even courtelle.

Odd for a cotton worker
A cutter, which he was.