A Circular Economy

The Last No

Staring out the window
waiting for your call, the Queen
of the circular economy,
my favourite client.

A balance-sheet of murdered dreams,
bitter pith stuck in teeth.
Your self-esteem balloons backwards,
next door’s snowman melts upon the lawn.

Clock ticks its rhythm of if onlys,
this, that and the other
hadn’t happened or, at least,
not quite then. I wind it again.

A year ago they feted you
now a contagion of noes,
neighbour chucks stones at our hedge,
doesn’t care what’s there.

I can’t wedge the pieces in a way
that stops them toppling.
I have no answer for you –
is that why you don’t call?