Twinings | A poem by Dorothy Porter, 1994
Scott McKowen, gravure
Insects float
black and frantic
on the smooth surface
of the swimming pool
Mrs Norris makes tea
Twinings
I bet myself
before it arrives
set out on a tray
a plump silver pot
my mother
would be proud of me
I sip Earl Grey
quietly
and let them talk
about Mickey
it’s not like her
she doesn’t take drugs
she doesn’t even smoke
she wants to be a journalist
photos
she’s pretty
she’s sweet
she’s too good to be true
her mother stands
brushes down her flowery frock
I take my cue
make reassuring plans
and glance
as I leave
the sun flattening
the withered rockery.
Twinings, Dorothy Porter, The monkey’s mask, 1994
