You can keep it, she said;
It’s so easy – you’ll see.
All you need is some thread
Or an old bit of string
Which you tie to the wall
With a nail or a hook
Then you hang the damn thing
Hang it right upside down
And in no time at all
In the wink of an eye
Hey presto! – you’ll see
So I did.

I am now the proud owner
Of one dead red rose
Dangling thorny delusion
Swings over my head
Dehydrated reminder
That love is to dust

“The Hanging Gardens
Of Grim”, I’ll say,
Invite people in,
Offer dry gin
And pretend that it’s summer again