Minister for loneliness

Now I have my own ministry!

They could have given me anxiety.

I am so grateful that it’s loneliness.

It’s far better than fear, or mild ennui.

As a frigid wind teases the North Sea

I will launch my first strategy

for the loneliest people in Britain

as identified statistically.

The colour grey will be abolished

there will be no more ageing, or frailty
by the time that I leave office

total strangers will talk freely.

There will be a significant reduction

in isolation; the sky will lighten.

Those will be my solemn promises

on a dull winter’s day in Skegness