My Momentary Hero

It was an early autumn day
I was in the park
the weather forecasters had predicted rain
but lo and behold
the sun had come out
and it was hot

Looking around
most people were wearing trousers and jumpers
- the common thought
was one of frustration
It was too warm for trousers and jumpers
fucking weather people
apparently they’re wrong 70% of the time
70%!
what’s the point then?
I have a better accuracy
guessing which celebrities will die each year
we’ve got windows
we’re not going to be THAT surprised

It was then
that I spotted the old man on the wall
he had on a long overcoat
and woollen hat

Poor bastard

He’d fallen into that trap
overcompensating for the fear of cold weather
- as understandably
many older folk do

Wrong 70% of the time I hear!

A little while later
as my back was beginning to roll bowling balls of sweat
toward the ten-pin target of my ass crack
the old man
stood up from his stony seat
he had pink cheeks
and concerned eyebrows
uncomfortably he checked his surroundings
and then proceeded to remove
the ankle length coat
and the woollen hat

To my astonishment
underneath he was only wearing
a thin white vest
and Bermuda beach shorts

I just stared
expressionless
dumbfounded
remembering the lesson about books