The Christening Party
I realise there has been no laughter
For a long while.
Standing at the back of the room
Moving to the music
I look around and notice the man in the fleece
Has swapped places
And that there aren’t enough chairs.
A woman is dancing with a baby in her arms,
Another flailing out of time and intent
On the floor.
New life, old life and somewhere in between
Swaying, standing, lost in memory
Engrossed in continuing the history
The pattern.
Outside a dog barks, and someone laughs
as the singer and the guitarist finish and look up
Expecting, or perhaps fearing the applause,
The backing track clicks on.
