Islington John Paroles

Hey lonely - you with the negro face
Say lonely - what time does the music start?

Suddenly the actress belly laughs
& I put my hand on hers

Islington John
Time you were gone
Look at the clock
It's a quarter to one
& when it strikes the hour
I will steal your poppy flower

I get a nosebleed under the blue lamp
The actress goes up to the ugly man & they kiss

The wind ruffles the polythene
On a woman drunk on powdered milk & gas

Me & the actress meet a crowd walking backwards
Islington John
Time you were gone
Look at the clock
It's a quarter to one
& when it strikes the hour
I will steal your poppy flower

Cars beep as we flamenco dance
On the pavement the innards of an old alsatian

Preserved by frost back at her flat the actress gargles
& puts on a record by Juliette Greco

Islington John
Time you were gone
Look at the clock
It's a quarter to one
& when it strikes the hour
I will steal your poppy flower

Islington John lifted the nylon
Lay amongst the broken antiques & smiled

Reeking of coffee & piss
Sober enough just to say this:

"I will pay for this fire extinguisher
The sand bucket & case
If you will let me pay for this man's face"

Islington John
Time you were gone
Look at the clock
It's a quarter to one
& when it strikes the hour
I will steal your poppy flower