What I Heard in Sharrow Vale (for Pete Mckee)

Now then!
Folk tell tales here
with a wink and a stare.

In November 1950
Pablo Picasso
visited Sheffield
for a hair cut,
peace,
and some toast.

It was as cold
as cubism
on that day
in Butlers Café.

They say,
and I don’t know
if it’s true
that he had
a big old fry up.

Some even go on to say
that when the plate arrived
the artist made a face
out of the
eggs,
sausage,
and beans.

A smile painted
of Hendo’s Relish.

It’s only
what some say though
in Sharrow Vale.

For folk tell tales here
with a wink and a stare