Poems of the Week

Benchmark

by Julia Griffin

“Nailed it: man, 82, builds bench for wife in 30 minutes after council plea ignored
Manuel Souto took matters into own hands to provide resting place for wife on daily walks
in Spanish town”

The Guardian

O Stranger, toiling down the street:
Respect this rough-and-ready seat
Made manually by Manuel
To help the wife he loves so well.
If you need rest, this is for you,
But let your fellows rest there too.
Time slows the fastest down (although
Beside the council few look slow).
The seat’s his wife’s; he stands, so far,
But none can stay the way they are,
And she and he with love concur:
He shall at last sit down by her.