Lynn White

On Our Watch

If it had been on his watch,

on his look out,

he would have seen,

he would have given the alarm

which would have been heard

so the catastrophe we’re living

would have been avoided.

She also was alert

and looking out,

but it was not her watch

and no one heard her warnings.

On their watch we would have heard

the warnings.

But it happened on our watch,

on our look out

and we were sleeping.

Look Out

Don’t challenge his growls,

said the man with no face. 

Look down on the ground,

be humble, not brave

and always look out.

Don’t cry if you fall,

the blind girl explained.

The field’s full of dog shit,

so don’t touch your eyes

and always look out.

I loved my pet doggy,

the dead baby cried.

We all loved him so much

till the day that I died

when they didn’t look out.

Sitting Squarely

Beach chairs are so uncomfortable.

I was sitting squarely for a while

now I’m squirming around

trying out new positions

without success.

I look out for you,

and there you are

stretched out and comfy.

I look down at you with envy.

“Let’s have a change,”

I say, “you try the chair

and I’ll get out”.

But there’s no budging you

from your comfort zone

and really,

I don’t blame you.

You were right,

we should have bought two beach mats.