Wilderspool Causeway

Flooding has exposed trip hazards on the boardwalk,
federal yellow mute evidence of cars,
exposed bricks by the International Cocoa Quarantine.
Consult the Blandford Forum Research Council
on Cold War and mafia slang. Read their biennial report,
sheltered between beach huts beneath the chines
with a bright disc shielded in the clouds’
distant quality of Irish County Cream.
Protecting yourself with your own proximity mines,
headphones covering your ears by Havelock Street
on your way to Gorrick Well’s healing waters,
ignore the trip advisor reviews of Wayne’s Basement:
‘Made not so much to feel unwelcome as actively repelled:
loose paving slabs, loose dog, absence of signage
and of Wayne.’ Figgy Ormerod’s in charge.
Find her down the lane and over the stile
if the local lads haven’t meddled with the signs.