Spirit Gum

A short piece with a new take on a classic nursery rhyme.

My spirit
has been scattered
like an egg shell
across pavement.

The gravity of situation
has drawn it down
from the wall on which it once
danced.

Horses and king’s men
time and again
attempt to reassemble
this jagged little jumble

It was all in futility
the pieces were glued
but nothing held fast.

‘Spirit gum’ is a misnomer.