That day

That day we cycled
         around the outskirts
of Regent’s Park
         and down by the canal
under a blistering sun
         and we paused
and strained our necks
         to see the giraffes
through the fence and
         admire their graceful
almost balletic steps
         as they moved about
with such poise
         and such elegance
and such cool indifference
         to all the spectators

And then we sat in the park
         and ate ice-cream cones
that dripped incessantly
         in the unspeakable heat
:
         that was a day to remember
and one well worthy of verse

John Lyons