Clasp

We travellers on the endless wastes in single orbits

Gliding cold-eyed march towards the dawn behind

Hard-weather hoods a-hiding

Meeting as the tall ships do, passing in the channel

Afraid to chance a gentle touch

Afraid to make the clasp

In high-rise city canyons dwells the discontent of ages

On ring roads, nose to bumper crawl

Commuters in their cages. Cryptic signals flash

Across from pilots in the fast lane. Double-locked

And belted in - too late to make the clasp

Let's break the journey now on some lonely road

Sit down as strangers will, let the stress unload

Talk in confidential terms, share a dark unspoken fear

Refill the cup and drink it up. Say goodnight and

Wish good luck

Synthetic chiefs with frozen smiles holding unsteady courses

Grip the reins of history, high on their battle horses

And meeting as good statesmen do before the T. V

Eyes of millions, hand to hand exchange the lie

Pretend to make the clasp