Things to do before you die.

by Richard (pictures) and George (words).

Click to see embiggen.

The Great Red Dragon.

THERE is a Great Red Dragon living in my head. It doesn't ask me to kill. It doesn't ask me to rape. It whispers no sweet suggestion, it barks no angry orders. It tells me nothing.


THERE is a Great Red Dragon living in my head. Its name is not Fred. It does not care for rhyme, nor for reason. It sits and waits patiently. I do not know its plans.


THERE is a Great Red Dragon living in my head. It has put its feet up on the coffee table. It does not understand basic social norms.


THERE is a Great Red Dragon living in my head. It is eating all my food. I cannot call the police. They cannot go inside my head. And if they could it would just eat them, and that would make more mess.


THERE is a Great Red Dragon living inside my head. It does not belong. I hope it will leave soon.

Twisted Tongues

1. “Hold your tongue,” she said
I’m not sure why
My fingers taste horrid, an unbalanced mix of
Sweet and sour and bitter and salt and
Umami, that’s what the Japanese call it.
It means savoury, and I savour the taste
(Of your lips)
Saviour of taste.



2. ‘Piper Peter pecked a pick
Of peppered pickles.’
A tongue twister is even harder
When you’re holding it.

Dinner at Pastels

I push the card forward to meet their eyes
‘Picked them up from the printers yesterday’
I take the admiration as a prize
When Van Patten sets his by the ashtray

We lean over and inspect this new card
Its beauty is remarked upon by Price
The elegance of colour has me jarred
I clench my fist and croak out the word ‘Nice…’

Jealousy fills my veins like copper pipes
Nothing in this dull place seems to contrast
The eggshell with the Romalian type
Of the business card that has mine outclassed

I look at David’s card and then my own
My inner suffering remains unknown.