TV Corral

In the TV corral they sit...silently.
Wheel chair tracks follow the well-worn path engrained in the grubby carpet.
Shreds of sticky pile cling to trailing feet, wheels locked in grooves.
Let the programme begin.

... a sad corral of slumped shapes with soiled clothing, once new ...

The loop of mindless adds is replaced by a children’s programme.
Flicker, flicker, fizz, fizz, out of focus, no matter,no one see's

... Listless eyes, lovers eyes that once dazzled...

A young blonde haired girl wearing a dazzling rainbow coloured jersey is demonstrating how to make fancy cards from sweet papers.

...tissue paper skin peels from bony skulls, proud heads once...

In one hand she holds up a fragment of shiny blue foil, then attaches it to a small piece of white card.

‘...We then gently brush some glue around the edges of the card...taking care not to put the glue on too thickly…like that... See...’!
 
...saliva dribble from slack jaws,strong jowls laughed once...

She utters in patronising tone.
The card offered up to the sleeping audience for consideration.

'...We then...’ she continues.

...coughing, frothing bubbles trail like silver snails...

‘...Add...some silver and gold stars by sprinkling them...like this around the edges of the card...look...you can see now...how your card is taking shape...'
With a theatrical flourish the completed card is held up for inspection.

...slip, slide slowly to the floor…

‘...You can of course design your own card in whatever colour you may choose’
She adds, with a wide smile.

‘...I shall give you some more ideas before the end of the programme...'
 
...tissues, tissues if you please...
 
‘Time for tea…! a distant voice calls.

...but no one hears for wax filled ears...

The circle breaks, wheeled away in silence to join another group....
Another TV corral...
the games corral.
 
‘...you can add a piece of red card,if you wish...'

She said to an empty room.