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Copyright Graeme Murphy 2000-2021

 

 

The contract on Iffley Road

 

Mrs Meddigely has under her carpet

cockroaches, crumbs, a nineteen forty souvenir frog,

fleas eggs, dehydrated soup noodles,

five pins, an embroidery needle,

all covered with clasped hands and a benediction smile

 

For your inspection, she has nothing,

steals lives to sate her powdered crutch

sleeps well and generally has good health,

takes in boarders for her pink book rules,

screens all she hides

will weep after all she has done,

for no one knows

she took a contract out on three souls

for making love too loudly

Oxford 1969