‘Dying Arts’ by Roy Marshall

Dying Arts

As the last window cleaner
born during the age of whistling
stashes his bucket and flannel

and millions of ear plugs play
into millions of closed circuit skulls
it seems the art is only practised now

by dry lipped ex-paperboys
in retirement homes
as they pour a morning brew

becoming as rare as thrush song
or the gaze of children
who sat silent and still

their eyes reflecting England
through the window of a train.
 
(from The Sun Bathers, Shoestring Press, 2013)
 
 
Roy Marshall is a nurse, househusband and writer. His pamphlet Gopagilla is available from Crystal Clear Creators and his debut collection, The Sun Bathers, was published by Shoestring Press in 2013.