In Case of Emergency

 

 

Round a corner on two wheels, too fast. If there is a crash

and they get round to me they'll look at the heap of clothes

spilled out in the middle of the road

and try to work out what to do. On the double yellow line

 

they'll find one shoe.

 

My handbag, split.

 

The world will tumble out

 

on to the road,

a ticket for the tube

 

 

 

Zone 1, from Farringdon and an entry pass

to Lascaux, a slip from a peage at Chartres

a ticket for a ferry crossing from the Gateway of India

 

to Alibagh,

a receipt for potatoes

 

I bought in Cairo

and a page of newspaper torn out in Tokyo

a photograph, a piece of tissue.

 

They'll stand there, considering what to do.

'Anything?' 'Not a clue.'