rivers crossing

River Thames

sitting by the River Thames
on the bench a girl bestowed
her presence fine
a book divine
her backpack laid down low

a glorious day it was today
with pigeons all about
streaming cross the pavement there
tourists did scream and shout

suddenly she spies
ahead of her and cries

a runner is running straight at her
with heaving chest and weighty strides

he pounds the pavement
and beats the sweat off
red-faced and determined

off course
he veers of course
and deftly avoids the bench
she heaves a sigh
and in reply
he leaves a terrible stench

"OH MY GAWD!"
says she
stuffing her nose with her fingers

that gentleman left a gift
none too appreciated
a whiff of last night's dinner
now apparently
very well digested

shaking her head in disgust
for get back to her book she must
and leave the gentleman to his own devices

to the loo or to the john
or to the baaathroom
as the Americans call it

she does not care
a bit, a lot or at all
as long as she can
get away from it all