> Hello Frank,
              I enjoyed this read. I don´t really have anything more constructive to say about it, except to add that you have a very distinctive voice. I always feel that your poems couldn´t have been written by anybody else.


best wishes,   Mike


> Lähettäjä: Frank Faust <[log in to unmask]>
> Päiväys: 2004/01/23 pe PM 02:21:33 GMT+02:00
> Vastaanottaja: [log in to unmask]
> Aihe: Sub: duck chocolate and tapas
> 
> duck chocolate and tapas
> 
> we are opening
> with tapas
> but I don't know what tapas is
> 
> we are in a restaurant
> with a faux spanish feel
> seven of us
> eight
> a small gathering in the middle
> of a crowded week
> 
> a little business
> a little fun
> 
> and we start the night
> with a platter
> marinated ribs
> some sort of fried calamari rings
> cheese and special-sauce potato
> olives
> 
> they call it tapas
> 
> ~
> 
> a mother
> out near seymour
> a town on the edge of the catchment
> is staring at the table
> 
> food tonight
> came out of the freezer
> wasn't touched
> 
> pushed now towards the centre
> of the kitchen table
> 
> she's still dressed up
> hasn't changed
> it's a long trip and she's too weary
> to bother
> 
> the boy
> her young man
> was a mess today
> still so
> 
> sick
> strange
> 
> frightening
> 
> thank god for the hospital
> but what are they doing
> what can they do
> 
> this is the worst
> it's ever been
> what's going to happen
> 
> she starts crying silently
> but even as she does she knows
> she's the strongest of the two of them
> it will destroy her husband
> 
> she is the stronger
> and she is crying
> 
> wishes they hadn't visited
> perhaps it will be better
> tomorrow
> 
> ~
> 
> the deep red
> is a delicious warmth
> and the conversation flows
> a joke about the servie
> a word about medicine
> some thoughtful comment
> about the demography of the area
> how it differs distinctly
> from its neighbours
> 
> familiar faces pass by
> settle at neighbouring tables
> 
> there is a comfort
> a sense of belonging in this place
> this night
> 
> the city seems
> undisturbed
> 
> they have taken the tapas
> platter empty
> and we are waiting for the mains
> 
> its all very pleasant
> and the last olive
> was mine
> 
> ~
> 
> things are jumping
> on the ward
> 
> it's full up
> no beds
> but
> 
> there's another patient
> an overdose
> a psychosis
> drug-related
> anorexic
> old
> 
> something
> it doesn't really matter what
> there's always another one
> and tonight there'll be a blue about it
> night staff aren't happy
> 
> if you want to leave another patient
> you better find another staff
> because we haven't got enough
> and we won't do it
> 
> don't care who says so
> 
> no staff
> no going over-numbers
> 
> good
> 
> welcome aboard for the night
> 
> don't worry
> they'll sort it out
> tomorrow
> 
> ~
> 
> chocolate duck is an unusual dish
> rich and rewarding
> 
> our table is silent now
> almost
> only the clinking of cutlery
> an occasional appreciation
> and the sound of an ambulance
> disappearing into the distance
> 
> idle thoughts
> idle thoughts
> they always stray back to the job
> to work
> 
> the petty worries I can do nothing about
> but can't help over-working
> 
> if I replace the main dishwasher
> in the ward kitchen
> what will that do to the budget
> is there a choice
> nope
> 
> should I increase the salary increment
> of the new staff member
> he's working out ok
> 
> the roster will be short tomorrow
> has anyone put their hand up
> to fill in for the absentees
> 
> I wonder if they're sick
> or just bludging
> 
> need some help with that one
> 
> it's all pointless
> I can't do anything until tomorrow
> and the talk is starting up again
> 
> this has been a nice way
> to end the evening
> and the food was great
> duck
> chocolate
> tapas and all
> 
> I still don't know
> what it means
> 
> tapas
> 
> I might work it out
> tomorrow 
> 
> ~
>