Willy grins, safe in his bubble
while all around the clouds explode
as if all this were nothing at all
to do with him. Improbably
a grey balloon deflates in flames –
Bien Meilleurs! The sky is full
of drama. Thirty-five of them
I read – that’s quite a bag –
no wonder he is smiling!
His biplane banks, the pram wheels spin –
he’s off to find another.
Reproduction interdite – you must not try
to do this too but should you
wish to find out more, just look behind –
explication au verso.

© Richard Westcott
Picture 10194467, Liebig card, circa 1916, image copyright Mary Evans
After hanging up his stethoscope a few years back, Richard Westcott now listens to himself talking, rather than others. Presently working on a sequence exploring Suicide, he seems to be better at getting a commendation here and there than being published, but keeps trying. And stays alive.