Collected Poems
Mr Pyrites
Mr Pyrites
In posture and gesture he is suave and cool
as the sodomist in charge of a Sunday school.
He clings like a limpet,
he sings like a trumpet,
his manners are nice
and his heart is blue ice.
He loves like a ferret
and speaks like a parrot,
his navel is full
of the rubbings of wool.
He lisps like a neuter,
sips ale from his pewter,
and treads down the street
like a tabby on heat.
On tiptoe at Easter
he crows like a rooster,
then falls on his knees
to his God and gives praise.
He's yes to his betters,
duress to his debtors,
white smiles are his eyes
and his oaths are all lies.
On Doomsday the angels will lift up their nighties
and wipe away tears for Mr Pyrites.