The Saison Poetry Library Does Not Charge For Overdue Books

The Saison Poetry Library does not charge for overdue books.
Practically speaking, they know we have no money to give.
Just change, that is not loose, not spare, with orange juice spilt
on it, so it sticks, welded to the cotton of our pocket,

where four stubborn ages of the Queen, clink, refusing
to give up their throne. The youngest, slim, shy, is eclipsed
by the bright, new silver-gold profile of the two-pound coin.
Her majesty, nose up, back turned to helpful shop assistants.

Even the Royal Mail know writers pockets differ only in size
From a nine year old child’s, so they too are lenient.
Despite strikes, no one mentions the cheaper rates
given to the unread manuscript, the paperback gift.