Somewhere by a tousled strip of seatroubled gulls fly busily.
In a seaside place, trading on past glories
a new life is waiting for me.
Beach combers and fishermen
will form my community.
They could almost be on holiday.
They have moved to the edge, untied the knot
there’s no shame in living in a caravan
exchanged their old place for a smaller plot.
Man’s lot is to travel hopefully.
Not all of them are lonely, or sad.
I will trade down my anxiety
for tranquillity – go on grandad!
I’ll be a tethered nomad
where the elements are broken down
gathering samphire and sea lavender
on the edge of some faded town.
The sea my friend, the sky my starry bed
I'll be happy, living in a shed.
