Ashes Poetry

Cellophane

prophylactic
against undue wear
before testing the wary 

a kite-marked sphere
ruby of stitched leather
awaits conquest of measures
upon the most measured pitch
to tempt the temptress
to give and lose all
modesty unbound

 twenty-two yards a catalogue
of denial and penetration
will it swing rear seam? each entry
roughs up the diadem till too old
or innings done by conquest
or declaration

all manner of manipulation
lop-sided thigh polish
occult knowledge
to beat or kiss the edge
of the keenest blade

the field’s edge heeds
all turns to waste in attendance
mugs cups papers programmes
a miasmic sea
consumes the consumed

umpires draw stumps
crinkled cellophane pocketed
anchored a humble memorial
the first shared sip of hope and fears