- I saw it once in Sefton Park,
reclining on a roundabout,
a Lyon's Mivvi in its mouth,
snoring from its elegant snout,
its dorsal flipper pointing south.
Is it all right do you think?
I asked a pair of trampolinists
passing on a tandam,
their eyes rolling about in such a manner
as to suggest unknowable passions,
both meaningful and random.
It is merely resting after its exertions
in crossing the ocean,
called back the latter of the circus performers
by means of a megaphone strapped to his chin.
I would have liked to have questioned
the now aroused shark
but, somewhat alarmed by this uncivilised din
it wafted into the sky above
and swam zig-zagedly towards the river
and I returned to my little bedsit
to cook and eat my meagre dinner.
I never saw the Lemon Shark again
- though once I heard the Strawberry Wren,
whistling Brahms behind the Glass House
but creeping up to get a good view
I stepped upon a little mouse
and both of them took flight
before I even got a bite.
I distinctly recall spending a forlorn
and quite hungry night
on Mrs. Thursday's doorstep.
NB
Lyon's Mivvi - popular ice-lolly in the 60's
it came in two main flavours, strawberry and pineapple, if my memory serves me well.












